Katie Couric allegedly bullied coworker Ashleigh Banfield at 2000 Olympics, NBC insider says



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Recent allegations claim that former NBC presenter Katie Couric sought to humiliate her colleague Ashleigh Banfield at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Couric has been at the center of several controversies in recent days before the release of his revealing book “Going There”, which highlights his decades-long career in broadcast journalism.

Responding to his new book, an NBC insider told the Daily Mail that Couric seeks to shame and humiliate Banfield after Banfield was asked to replace Tom Brokaw by interviewing Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson. While preparing for the interview, a producer who worked for Couric reportedly went to Banfield and yelled at him.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” the insider said. “Spit was flying all over Ashleigh’s face.”

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The producer allegedly forced Banfield to wait outside while Couric joked about the debacle to the others.

“I hope it wasn’t too bad to get her kicked out of here. Hehehehe,” Couric reportedly said.

Katie Couric at the 2018 Olympics.

Katie Couric at the 2018 Olympics.

Couric was also reportedly furious with Banfield when she asked Johnson a question regarding his alleged drug use.

“What is she doing? Who does she think she is? It’s so embarrassing for me and for the TODAY Show,” Couric said.

At the end of the interview, Couric also allegedly mocked Banfield by saying “Eww that was embarrassing Ashleigh. Eww. Awkward.”

“It was such a disappointing scene,” described the insider.

Couric described the 2000 Olympics in his upcoming memoir “Going There”, but made no mention of Ashleigh Banfield.

“How could I not bring the girls to the Olympics in Salt Lake City, Sydney, Athens? They met gold medalists; Ellie interviewed sprinter Michael Johnson for a school newspaper, and he autographed one of her his golden running shoes, ”Couric wrote. .

The insider further pointed out that Couric “openly took pleasure” in shaming Banfield during the interview.

“Here is America’s so-called sweetheart, showing that she was not a supporter of her colleague or another woman and that she openly rejoiced that she had first prevented Ashleigh from ‘being on set, then had her kid do that pathetic school project interview with Michael, then relished Michael’s response when he stopped the interview just as Ashleigh asked the most question. important, ”the insider added.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 03: Katie Couric speaks during an interview promoting the original documentary EPIX

LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 03: Katie Couric speaks during an interview promoting the original EPIX documentary “Under The Gun” on May 3, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle / Getty Images for EPIX)
(Photo by Mike Windle / Getty Images for EPIX))

Couric did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.

In a response to the Daily Mail, Banfield declined to comment on the case, saying “I don’t want to reopen old wounds, but Sydney was certainly a professional challenge for me.”

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However, Banfield responded to one of the accusations Couric makes in his new book. Banfield called Couric for claiming that she and her father were trying to steal Couric’s position.

Couric has also faced backlash for expressing sympathy for disgraced NBC “Today” co-host Matt Lauer and for attacking rival Diane Sawyer.

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