A Fox News correspondent confronted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) about not accepting requests to appear on “The O’Reilly Factor” during a Thursday press conference.
Jesse Watters, whom Fox News host Bill O’Reilly often sics on political figures who dodge him, seized the opportunity to ask about the interview requests during a Q&A session.
“We’ve been trying to book you on the show for weeks, and your staff hasn’t been very respectful towards us,” Watters said.
“I’m sure they’re very respectful,” a smiling De Blasio responded.
“We’re just trying to get to know you better, what’s the problem?” Watters pressed.
De Blasio told Watters that he appreciated the invitation and would have his staff follow up, then called on another reporter.
“You need rescuing,” Watters said.
“I never need rescuing, I just want a real question,” De Blasio responded. Security then escorted Watters away from the mayor.
De Blasio’s press aides called Watters’ ambush a “stunt” on Twitter and posted correspondence they said proves they politely declined Fox News’ requests:
Proof. RT @Marti_Adams Total stunt. We’ve been kind enough to decline their intvw requests via phone AND email. pic.twitter.com/hgouL0HxT6
— Monica Klein (@MonicaCKlein) December 11, 2014
It wasn’t the first time O’Reilly’s ambush reporter was escorted out of an event. Last summer, police removed him from the National Organization for Women conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico after he entered the conference area despite having been denied press credentials.
Watch below, via local news site NYTrue.com:
