A simple favor between two Fox News regulars wrecked their friendship and landed on network executives' desks, according to a new report.
Media newsletter Breaker reported that Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich fell out with Yemisi Egbewole, a frequent network guest who once served as chief of staff in former President Joe Biden's press office, over a pair of earrings that belonged to Heinrich's grandmother.
Heinrich asked Egbewole last summer to watch her cat while she traveled for work and later with her partner, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), according to veteran media reporter Lachlan Cartwright, who cited people familiar with the situation.
The pals' friendship soured soon after Heinrich came home, the newsletter reported. Egbewole kept wearing the earrings after the cat-sitting stint ended, sources told the outlet, and an attempt to hand them back at a holiday party hosted by Fox News anchor Bret Baier in Washington fell through.
Cartwright opened the item with a wink, saying the saga suggests "a simple pair of earrings can come between Fox and Friends."
The dispute is especially awkward because Heinrich helped open doors for Egbewole at the network, Breaker reported, introducing her to Fox executives. Egbewole has since appeared on Baier's "Special Report," on "The Will Cain Show," hosted by Fox News personality Will Cain, and on "Fox & Friends," along with spots on CNN and MS NOW.
Heinrich, who also serves as president of the White House Correspondents' Association, complained to Fox brass about the episode, according to the report. Even so, Egbewole has remained a fixture on the network, logging more than a dozen appearances this month, including a stop on Baier's program Tuesday.
The earrings finally made it back. Egbewole dropped them off at Fox's Washington bureau Thursday afternoon, after Breaker began asking questions, people with knowledge of the matter told the newsletter.
The newsletter also pointed to a photo on Egbewole's LinkedIn profile that it said shows her wearing another pair of Heinrich's earrings.
Heinrich, Egbewole and a Fox News spokesperson all declined to comment to Breaker.