Fox News producer Jesse Watters was escorted out of a press conference Thursday by NY Mayor Bill de Blasio’s security detail following a tense exchange.
When the O’Reilly Factor producer pressed de Blasio about his staff’s refusal to book an interview with him and his staff’s disrespectful response to show's requests, things quickly got testy. Here’s the exchange:
Watters: Mr. Mayor, Bill O’Reilly has a question for you.
De Blasio: OK, are you his emissary?
Watters: Yes I am. You don’t know “Wattersworld”?
De Blasio: Again, please?
Watters: I’m Watters and this is my world right here.
De Blasio: Okay. Continue.
Watters: We’ve been trying to book you on the show for weeks and your staff hasn’t been very respectful towards us.
De Blasio: I’m sure they’re very respectful.
Watters: "Actually not."
De Blasio: I’m sure they are.
Watters: We’re just trying to get to know you better. What’s the problem?
De Blasio: I appreciate the invitation. I'm sure they'll follow up with you.
Watters: But they haven’t been following up and that’s why I’m here.
When de Blasio tried to move on to the next reporter, Watters interrupted.
Watters: You need rescuing.
De Blasio: I never need rescuing. I just want a real question.
The exchange ended when a member of de Blasio's security team stepped in, ushering Watters out of the press conference.
Video via Mediaite. Partial transcript via TheBlaze.
