Trump Lawyer Asks Journalist If She's On Drugs After James Comey Question

Doha Madani
Updated

White House special counsel Ty Cobb asked Business Insider’s Natasha Bertrand if she was on drugs during an email thread late on Saturday.

Bertrand was speaking with Cobb after he took issue with an analysis piece she wrote Saturday about a letter that President Donald Trump reportedly drafted to fire former FBI director James Comey. White House counsel Don McGahn advised against sending the letter, and Bertrand says it may now be used as evidence in the obstruction of justice case special counsel Robert Mueller is reportedly building against Trump.

Cobb insisted that the president had wide support within the White House for choosing to fire Comey, but refused to answer why the letter was never sent directly to the former FBI director.

After receiving follow up questions to his statement, Cobb asked Bertrand, “Are you on drugs?”

Bertrand posted the exchange to Twitter on Sunday morning.

Cobb’s abrupt and unprofessional response came as a shock to the reporter.

“Cobb supposedly has a great reputation and is a very respected lawyer,” Bertrand told HuffPost. “He was brought in to bring some discipline to the whole operation. So I wasn’t expecting that response to what I thought was a pretty basic question.”

Bertrand then responded to Cobb, assuring him that she was not on drugs and that he hadn’t been forthcoming in his emails.

“No I’m not on drugs. But you’re not giving me much to work with. I’ve asked several times for an explanation of what in the story (which is an analysis piece, in any case) is false.”

Cobb has not responded to the reporter’s email message and the White House did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.

Bertrand wrote about the exchange in more detail Sunday morning, which can be read here.

Also on HuffPost

Former FBI Director James Comey walks to a closed-door hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on June 8, 2017.
Former FBI Director James Comey walks to a closed-door hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on June 8, 2017.
Comey laughs while testifying in a public hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee the same day.
Comey laughs while testifying in a public hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee the same day.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who is not on the committee, watches as Comey testifies.
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who is not on the committee, watches as Comey testifies.
Comey answers questions from senators on the Intelligence Committee.
Comey answers questions from senators on the Intelligence Committee.
And more questions.
And more questions.
And more questions.
And more questions.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) asks questions of the former FBI director.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) asks questions of the former FBI director.
Comey repeated explosive allegations that President Donald Trump had badgered him over the highly sensitive investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election.
Comey repeated explosive allegations that President Donald Trump had badgered him over the highly sensitive investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election.
Comey pauses for a moment during the hearing.
Comey pauses for a moment during the hearing.
And then he returns to testifying.
And then he returns to testifying.
Comey is sworn in before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.
Comey is sworn in before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.
He takes the oath before he testifies.
He takes the oath before he testifies.
Many people had come to hear what Comey had to say.
Many people had come to hear what Comey had to say.
Comey arrives to testify before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Comey arrives to testify before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
The cameras are snapping as Comey arrives to testify.
The cameras are snapping as Comey arrives to testify.
Comey walks into the hearing room.
Comey walks into the hearing room.
The name placard for the former FBI director is placed on the witness table ahead of his appearance.
The name placard for the former FBI director is placed on the witness table ahead of his appearance.
People wait in line outside the hearing room to attend Comey's testimony.
People wait in line outside the hearing room to attend Comey's testimony.
Comey will face this bank of remote-triggered cameras while testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Comey will face this bank of remote-triggered cameras while testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee.
A view of the hearing room before Comey testifies.
A view of the hearing room before Comey testifies.
People make preparations for the hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
People make preparations for the hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
The hearing room where Comey will testify.
The hearing room where Comey will testify.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.