Glenn Thrush

Thrush grew up in Sheepshead Bay, in the borough of Brooklyn, New York, and attended Sheepshead Bay High School, from which he graduated in 1984. His parents owned a Carvel Ice Cream store in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. Thrush graduated from Brooklyn College, where he majored in political science and Greek classics.{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/chuck-d-off-message-podcast-225887 |title=Full transcript: POLITICO's Glenn Thrush interviews Chuck D |website=Politico |date=July 20, 2016 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-date=February 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219094430/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/chuck-d-off-message-podcast-225887 |url-status=live }} Thrush identifies as a secular Jew.{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/full-transcript-politicos-glenn-thrush-interviews-ben-carson-219644 |title=Full transcript: POLITICO's Glenn Thrush interviews Ben Carson |work=Politico |date=February 23, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2016 |archive-date=November 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118163717/http://www.politico.com/story/2016/02/full-transcript-politicos-glenn-thrush-interviews-ben-carson-219644 |url-status=live }}

Thrush started his reporting career working for the lower Manhattan weekly newspaper Downtown Express. He was an education and politics reporter for the now defunct Post Herald in Birmingham, Alabama, and later a reporter and editor for the New York policy journal City Limits, where he covered low income housing and child welfare during the administration of Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He joined Bloomberg News to cover the New York City hospital industry in the early 00s, and later worked for Newsday as a City Hall reporter, covering Mayor Michael Bloomberg.{{cite news |last=Adweek |first=Staff |url=http://www.adweek.com/tv-video/these-15-political-power-players-in-media-are-keeping-it-real-in-the-age-of-fake-news/ |title=These 15 Political Power Players in Media Are Keeping It Real in the Age of Fake News |work=Adweek |date=April 2, 2017 |access-date=April 5, 2017 |archive-date=April 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405191640/http://www.adweek.com/tv-video/these-15-political-power-players-in-media-are-keeping-it-real-in-the-age-of-fake-news/ |url-status=live }}

Thrush covered Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in 2008 for Newsday, and then joined Politico in July 2008. In December 2016, it was reported that Thrush would be joining The New York Times covering the White House starting on January 3, 2017.{{cite web |last=Calderone |first=Michael |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/glenn-thrush-new-york-times_us_5845bc45e4b055b3139895b1 |title=Politico's Glenn Thrush To Join The New York Times |date=December 12, 2016 |work=HuffPost |access-date=December 13, 2016 |archive-date=December 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212234624/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/glenn-thrush-new-york-times_us_5845bc45e4b055b3139895b1 |url-status=live }} Thrush was suspended from his position in November 2017 amid allegations of sexual misconduct.{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/20/16678094/glenn-thrush-new-york-times |last=McGann |first=Laura |work=Vox |date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=November 20, 2017 |title=Exclusive: NYT White House correspondent Glenn Thrush's history of bad judgment around young women journalists |archive-date=November 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120172809/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/20/16678094/glenn-thrush-new-york-times |url-status=live }} In January 2018, he returned to The New York Times after a two-month suspension.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/371288-glenn-thrush-to-return-to-nyt-dc-bureau-tuesday/|title=Glenn Thrush to return to NYT D.C. bureau Tuesday|last=Rowland|first=Geoffrey|date=2018-01-29|website=TheHill|language=en|access-date=2019-10-12|archive-date=June 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601001212/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/371288-glenn-thrush-to-return-to-nyt-dc-bureau-tuesday/|url-status=live}}

Thrush wrote two e-books about President Barack Obama's 2012 reelection campaign. Obama's Last Stand was published in August 2012, and The End of the Line: Romney vs. Obama: The 34 days that Decided the Election was published after the election in December 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/14619778-452/obama-campaign-drama.html|title='Obama's Last Stand' highlights disagreements|work=Chicago Sun-Times|date=August 20, 2012|access-date=August 22, 2012|archive-date=August 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823203344/http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/14619778-452/obama-campaign-drama.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/08/book-obama-finds-romney-weak-but-fears-he-could-win/1|title=Book: Obama finds Romney 'weak,' but fears he could win|work=USA Today|date=August 20, 2012|access-date=August 22, 2012|archive-date=August 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822163239/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/08/book-obama-finds-romney-weak-but-fears-he-could-win/1|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/217671/the-end-of-the-line-romney-vs-obama-the-34-days-that-decided-the-election-playbook-2012-politico-inside-election-2012-by-politicos-glenn-thrush-and-jonathan-martin/ |title=About The End of the Line: Romney vs. Obama: the 34 days that decided the election: Playbook 2012 (POLITICO Inside Election 2012) |author= |date=December 2012 |website= |publisher=Penguin Random House |access-date=September 18, 2017 |quote= |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807032122/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/217671/the-end-of-the-line-romney-vs-obama-the-34-days-that-decided-the-election-playbook-2012-politico-inside-election-2012-by-politicos-glenn-thrush-and-jonathan-martin/ |url-status=live }}

Thrush came under criticism after emails released by Wikileaks (the Podesta emails) showed Thrush sending John Podesta portions of a draft article that dealt with Podesta, asking that he fact-check those portions. Thrush also wrote, "No worries Because I have become a hack I will send u the whole section that pertains to u. Please don't share or tell anyone I did this Tell me if I fucked up anything." Podesta did not ask for any changes, writing back "no problems here".{{cite web |last=Concha |first=Joe |url=https://thehill.com/media/301441-politico-reporter-asked-podesta-for-fact-check/ |title=Politico reporter asked Podesta for fact-check |work=The Hill |date=October 17, 2016 |access-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-date=October 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020182644/http://www.thehill.com/media/301441-politico-reporter-asked-podesta-for-fact-check |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/politico-glenn-thrush-john-podesta-2016-10 |title='Don't share or tell anyone I did this': Politico reporter criticized for email to Clinton campaign chair |last=Smith |first=Allan |work=Business Insider |date=October 17, 2016 |access-date=October 27, 2016 |archive-date=October 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027124658/http://www.businessinsider.com/politico-glenn-thrush-john-podesta-2016-10 |url-status=live }} Politico spokesman Brad Dayspring responded to the criticism, saying "Politico's policy is to not share editorial content pre-publication except as approved by editors... Checking the relevant passages for accuracy was responsible and consistent with our standards; Sharing the full piece was a mistake and not consistent with our policies."{{Cite web|last=Rehkopf|first=Bill|date=2016-10-18|title=Sorry not sorry: Politico's Thrush doubles down on Podesta emails|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/media/301553-sorry-not-sorry-politicos-thrush-doubles-down-on-podesta-emails/|access-date=2021-08-23|website=The Hill|language=en|archive-date=March 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330034017/https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/media/301553-sorry-not-sorry-politicos-thrush-doubles-down-on-podesta-emails/|url-status=live}}

Thrush replied on Twitter that "checking if a portion of a story that pertained to him was accurate... I DO THIS WITH EVERYBODY." Dayspring said that "Glenn is one of the top political reporters in the country, in no small part because he understands that it is his job to get inside information, not appear perfect when someone illegally hacks email... I can speak with firsthand knowledge and experience that Glenn checks the validity of often complex reporting with everybody, on both sides of the aisle."

{{See also|Me Too movement}}

In November 2017, Vox published an article containing the accounts of four female journalists who said that Thrush engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior toward them. The incidents recounted in the Vox story about Thrush involve four women over a five-year period while he worked at Politico,{{cite news |last1=Elahe Izadi |last2=Paul Farhi |title=The New York Times could not verify ISIS claims in its 'Caliphate' podcast. Now it's returning a prestigious award. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/caliphate-review-new-york-times-rukmini-callimachi-podcast-error/2020/12/18/059eb11a-413f-11eb-8bc0-ae155bee4aff_story.html |access-date=8 January 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=18 December 2020 |quote=Glenn Thrush, a former Times White House reporter who was taken off the beat in 2017 after allegations of misconduct arose when he was employed by Politico |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511024818/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/caliphate-review-new-york-times-rukmini-callimachi-podcast-error/2020/12/18/059eb11a-413f-11eb-8bc0-ae155bee4aff_story.html |url-status=live }} and the women alleged Thrush groped and kissed them against their will. One woman alleged Thrush engaged in office gossip about her following an unwanted kiss.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/20/16678094/glenn-thrush-new-york-times|title=Exclusive: NYT White House correspondent Glenn Thrush's history of bad judgment around young women journalists|work=Vox|access-date=February 1, 2018|archive-date=November 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120172809/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/11/20/16678094/glenn-thrush-new-york-times|url-status=live}} In a statement published on his Facebook page,https://www.facebook.com/glennthrush?hc_ref=ARQwoycPxXoB7AZs7AbQMDeaxQgzzg1S6pHNdct2CCGN31VHRpqccql_RSnOJ3q-34E&fref=nf&pnref=story {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}} Thrush disputed gossiping about the woman. After the publication of the article, The New York Times suspended Thrush, who issued a statement that read in part: "Over the past several years, I have responded to a succession of personal and health crises by drinking heavily. During that period, I have done things that I am ashamed of, actions that have brought great hurt to my family and friends. I have not taken a drink since June 15, 2017, have resumed counseling and will soon begin outpatient treatment for alcoholism. I am working hard to repair the damage I have done." The Times issued a statement saying, "We support his decision to enter a substance-abuse program."

On December 20, 2017, The New York Times reported after an investigation that Thrush was permanently removed from covering the White House and would remain suspended until late January 2018. The Times specified Thrush would be reassigned to a beat about the "social safety net in the age of Trump, particularly HUD and HHS."{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2018/01/29/glenn-thrushs-new-beat-the-social-safety-net-in-trump-era/|title=Opinion {{!}} Glenn Thrush's new beat: The social safety net in Trump era|last=Wemple|first=Erik|date=January 29, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US|access-date=February 1, 2018|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131231920/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2018/01/29/glenn-thrushs-new-beat-the-social-safety-net-in-trump-era/|url-status=live}} It has been noted Thrush was moved to a subject that greatly affects women and that covering the social safety net is considered a "punishment" or demotion from covering the White House.{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/new-york-times-thrush-women_us_5a3c0b28e4b0b0e5a7a0b49f|title=Women At The New York Times Feel Neglected, Frustrated As Paper Stands By Glenn Thrush|last1=Peck|first1=Emily|date=December 22, 2017|work=Huffington Post|access-date=February 1, 2018|last2=Strachan|first2=Maxwell|language=en-US|archive-date=February 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201012359/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/new-york-times-thrush-women_us_5a3c0b28e4b0b0e5a7a0b49f|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://splinternews.com/new-york-times-reinstates-an-accused-harasser-and-insul-1822528683|title=New York Times Reinstates an Accused Harasser and Insults Poor People at the Same Time|last=Chang|first=Clio|magazine=Splinter|date=January 29, 2018|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=February 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201192925/https://splinternews.com/new-york-times-reinstates-an-accused-harasser-and-insul-1822528683|url-status=live}} He was also required to undergo unspecified "training designed to improve his workplace conduct," according to a statement by Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NYTimesPR/status/943593044426870789|title=The New York Times Statement on Glenn Thrushpic.twitter.com/23oQUE8srR|first=NYTimes|last=Communications|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=December 24, 2017|archive-date=December 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221204642/https://twitter.com/NYTimesPR/status/943593044426870789|url-status=live}} The behavioral inquiry interviewed 30 people from inside and outside of the newspaper in Washington and New York and was led by an internal attorney Charlotte Behrendt.{{cite news |last=Ember |first=Sydney |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/business/media/glenn-thrush-suspension-white-house.html |title=Glenn Thrush, Suspended Times Reporter, to Resume Work but Won't Cover White House |work=The New York Times |date=December 20, 2017 |access-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=December 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220212128/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/business/media/glenn-thrush-suspension-white-house.html |url-status=live }} Carolyn Ryan, an assistant managing editor at The Times, said of the inquiry, "The people who worked most closely with Glenn in the bureau—men, women, young, old—were supportive of him and did believe that he could contribute and hadn’t seen the kind of behavior that had been described."{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2018/01/american-newsrooms-are-covering-sexual-harassmentbut-whats-happening-inside-the-newsrooms-themselves/550058/|title=The New York Times's Glenn Thrush Dilemma|last=LaFrance|first=Adrienne|work=The Atlantic|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=February 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201192914/https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2018/01/american-newsrooms-are-covering-sexual-harassmentbut-whats-happening-inside-the-newsrooms-themselves/550058/|url-status=live}}

Thrush is married to Diane Webber, an editor at NPR,{{Cite web |title=Diane Webber |url=https://www.npr.org/people/1223758057/diane-webber |access-date=March 15, 2024 |website=NPR |archive-date=March 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315191923/https://www.npr.org/people/1223758057/diane-webber |url-status=live }} and lives in Kensington, Maryland. They have twin sons.{{cite web |url=http://freshfiction.com/author.php?id=31358 |title=Glenn Thrush |work=Fresh Fiction |access-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019213213/http://freshfiction.com/author.php?id=31358 |url-status=live }}

Thrush was portrayed by Bobby Moynihan in multiple episodes of Saturday Night Live, interacting with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer (Melissa McCarthy).{{Citation|title=Watch Sean Spicer Press Conference from Saturday Night Live on NBC.com|url=http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/sean-spicer-press-conference/3465162?snl=1|language=en-us|access-date=February 12, 2017|archive-date=February 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213001448/http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/sean-spicer-press-conference/3465162?snl=1|url-status=live}} Thrush credits the SNL portrayal for raising his profile and said that "it probably gets my phone calls answered a little bit more quickly."

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Category:Living people

Category:1967 births

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