Britt McHenry, a former ESPN reporter and host, has taken on a new role within the U.S. Department of State, serving as a press advisor. The 40-year-old announced her appointment on Wednesday, sharing her enthusiasm for the position within the nation’s principal foreign relations agency.
New Role in Public Diplomacy
McHenry confirmed her acceptance of the press advisor position, which places her within the diplomatic agency under Secretary of State Marco Rubio. She shared a photograph of herself standing by the official seal in the White House Press Briefing Room, marking the commencement of her new duties. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), McHenry expressed her honor: “It is true. 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.”
Expanding on her new responsibilities in a LinkedIn post, McHenry stated, “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.” She also noted her admiration for Secretary Rubio’s career, particularly as a fellow Floridian, and expressed eagerness to serve his staff and the nation.
A Career Marked by Transitions
This appointment represents a significant transition in McHenry’s career, which has previously included high-profile roles and notable public incidents. After a three-year tenure as a Washington D.C.-based reporter for ESPN, she departed the network in 2017 during a period of company-wide layoffs. During her time at ESPN, McHenry faced public scrutiny in 2015 following an incident where she was caught on security footage verbally confronting a towing company employee. She later apologized for her conduct, acknowledging that her emotions had gotten the better of her.
Following her departure from ESPN, McHenry shifted her focus towards political commentary, making appearances on platforms such as Fox News Media and Fox 5 D.C. Her career also involved a significant legal dispute.
Legal Proceedings and Settlement
In 2019, McHenry filed a lawsuit against Fox News and her co-host George “Tyrus” Murdoch, alleging sexual harassment. The suit claimed that Murdoch, a former WWE wrestler whose real name is George Murdoch, had sent her sexually explicit text messages over several months in 2018 while they worked together on the show “Un-PC.” McHenry’s legal filing, submitted in a New York district court, asserted that she experienced “humiliation, emotional anguish, derailment of her career and significant loss of economic opportunities” after reporting the alleged harassment. The lawsuit also named Fox Nation executive Jennifer Rauchet, who McHenry claimed told her she was “replaceable” after she raised concerns about Murdoch’s behavior.
Murdoch denied the allegations made against him. The legal action was eventually settled and voluntarily dismissed by both parties in 2021 through a confidential agreement. Following the settlement, McHenry stated her pride in standing up for her rights and her hope that she had empowered other women. She added, “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 expressed satisfaction with the resolution, noting that while confident in their position, they were pleased to resolve the matter without further litigation. Murdoch’s attorney, Tom Clare, also conveyed pleasure in reaching a settlement that would result in the dismissal of claims against his client.
Looking Forward
McHenry’s new position at the State Department signifies a new phase in her professional journey, leveraging her extensive media experience in the realm of public diplomacy and international relations. Her background includes reporting and commentary across various platforms, and she now aims to apply this expertise to her role advising on press matters for the U.S. government’s foreign affairs.
