Former ESPN Host Takes New Role in Trump Administration

Former ESPN reporter Britt McHenry has joined the Trump administration, taking on a media-focused position at the US Department of State.

McHenry, 40, confirmed that she has been appointed as a press advisor at the diplomatic agency, where she will work under Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

She revealed the career move on Wednesday, posting a photo of herself beside the official seal in the White House Press Briefing Room in Washington.

‘It is true,’ McHenry wrote on X. ‘I am honored to serve as a newly appointed press advisor to the State Department, our country’s highest diplomatic institution. Proud to serve for and work alongside some truly incredible people.’

In a separate post on LinkedIn, McHenry wrote: ‘I am beyond excited to start this new chapter today and am thankful to every person who helped me in pursuing and achieving this opportunity.

‘For 17 years, I have worked on camera covering the news. Now, I get to take that experience and apply it to our country’s highest diplomatic agency.

‘As a fellow Floridian, I have followed and admired Secretary Marco Rubio’s political career from its inception to the outstanding leadership he shows today in the Administration,’ McHenry wrote.

‘He has appointed an exceptional staff, and I look forward to serving them and our nation.’

Her State Department appointment opens a new phase in a media career that has at times been marked by controversy, including workplace scandals and legal disputes.

McHenry previously worked for ESPN as a Washington, DC-based reporter for three years before she was let go in 2017 amid a broad round of layoffs at the network.

While at ESPN, she drew national attention in 2015 after security footage showed her berating a towing company clerk, an incident that led to her suspension.

She later issued an apology, admitting that she ‘allowed my emotions to get the best of me’ during an intense moment.

Following her ESPN exit, McHenry transitioned toward right-wing political commentary, making appearances on Fox News Media and Fox 5 DC.

In 2019, she filed an explosive sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News and co-host George ‘Tyrus’ Murdoch, accusing him of sending sexually explicit text messages and claiming the network retaliated against her after she complained.

In her lawsuit, filed in New York district court, McHenry claimed she ‘suffered humiliation, emotional anguish, derailment of her career and significant loss of economic opportunities’ after she raised concerns about Tyrus, a former WWE wrestler whose real name is George Murdoch. 

McHenry had alleged that for months, in 2018, Tyrus sent her sexually explicit text messages as they both worked on their show Un-PC. She said when she complained, Fox Nation executive Jennifer Rauchet, who was also named in the lawsuit, told her she was ‘replaceable.’ Tyrus had denied the allegations.

The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed by both parties in 2021 after reaching a confidential settlement.

After dismissing her lawsuit, McHenry told The Daily Beast: ‘I am very proud to have stood up for my rights and hope that I have empowered other women to do the same.

‘Although I fully stand by the truth of my allegations, I am pleased to put this matter behind me and move forward with my career.’

Fox News Media told the outlet: ‘While Fox News is confident it would have prevailed in the lawsuit, we are pleased that we have been able to resolve this matter without further litigation.’  

 While Tyrus did not publicly comment on the settlement, his attorney Tom Clare said in a statement that he is ‘pleased that the parties have reached a settlement in which the claims against him will be dismissed with prejudice.’