White House reporter April Ryan says Omarosa Manigault “physically intimidated” her during a confrontation outside the Oval Office.
According to the Washington Post, Manigault, a former contestant on Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” and current White House communications official, got into an argument with Ryan that included the threat of a “dossier” of potentially damaging information that the administration was keeping on journalists.
The confrontation took place last Wednesday, and was witnessed by multiple White House staffers as well as Washington Post reporter Abby Phillip.
“She stood right in my face like she was going to hit me,” Ryan said in an interview with the Post. “I said, ‘You better back up’ … She thought I would be bullied. I won’t be.”
Omarosa denied the allegation entirely in an email to the paper, writing, “My comment: Fake news!”
Ryan works as White House correspondent for the American Urban Radio Networks, and is reportedly a former friend of Manigault’s — and was even once asked to be a bridesmaid in the White House official’s upcoming wedding.
The Washington Post also reported that Manigault sent an email to Ryan last fall, accusing her of being a paid surrogate for the Clinton campaign. “I pray this is not true! This could be hurtful to your legacy and the integrity of your work,” she wrote.
“It’s just ugly,” Ryan said. “She’s trying to harm my integrity and my career. I’ve been [covering the White House] for 20 years. I plan to be here for the next 20 years. You don’t mess with someone’s livelihood.”