Incident Details
- Date of Incident
- May 23, 2024
- Location
- Washington, District of Columbia
- Assailant
- Public figure
- Was the journalist targeted?
- Yes
Assault
A Fox News videographer said he was hit with an umbrella during a May 23, 2024, interview between congressional correspondent Chad Pergram and Rep. Rashida Tlaib on the U.S. Capitol grounds.
A video journalist for Fox News said he was hit with an umbrella by a congressional staff member during an interview with Rep. Rashida Tlaib on the U.S. Capitol grounds on May 23, 2024.
The videographer was attempting to record Tlaib, D-Mich., as senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram asked for her reaction to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being invited to address Congress.
In a video clip of the incident posted on social network X, the staffer can be seen first unfurling the umbrella to deter Pergram. Then, after closing the umbrella, he opened it again to obscure the cameraman’s view of Tlaib as she spoke. The camera visibly wobbles and the cameraman’s voice is heard saying, “He hit me with an umbrella.”
The aide denies striking him on camera.
Pergram responds, “We have it on video, guys.
“He hit him with the umbrella,” Pergram says as he walks past a Capitol police officer. “That’s assault.”
Neither the staff member nor the cameraman were identified. Tlaib’s director of communications didn’t respond to an email request from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker seeking comment.
Fox News communications executive Caley Cronin confirmed the incident via email with the Tracker and pointed to a Fox News report for details.
The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker catalogues press freedom violations in the United States. Email tips to [email protected].
