Dana Perino admits to secretly flipping off reporters during Bush briefings

Dana Perino revealed on Tuesday that she secretly gave the middle finger to combative reporters while serving as White House press secretary under former President George W. Bush. Perino made the admission during an interview with Sean Hannity on his "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast, describing a tactic she used to maintain her composure during difficult exchanges.

Perino explained that she kept a cup of water at the podium, which allowed her to shield her hand from view. "I would just sit there with my hand over my cup and just flip him off the entire time he was talking," she told Hannity. She noted that while reporters asked their questions, she would smile and nod, keeping the gesture hidden from the public eye.

The former press secretary, who held the role from 2007 to 2009, joked that the water cup served as a form of "liquid courage." She stated that the secret defiance gave her a sense of confidence while allowing her to remain polite and professional in front of cameras. Perino said she had shared the story with Hannity previously, but it remained largely unknown until she included it in her 2015 memoir, "And the Good News Is..." The anecdote later gained attention from conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, who reportedly called it "the best story ever" when Perino appeared on his show.

Hannity echoed that sentiment, describing it as "the greatest story ever told" by a White House press secretary. He expressed surprise at the display of defiance occurring behind the podium. Perino argued that her position required her to remain respectful and composed, even when facing reporters she believed were more focused on securing television airtime than obtaining factual answers.

She described a pattern where journalists would make exaggerated efforts to provoke a reaction, aiming to secure footage for network broadcasts. Perino suggested that the pressure on journalists to produce memorable moments was already shaping briefing room dynamics during her tenure, but she believes the rise of social media has intensified that behavior since then. "It's worse now with social media," she told Hannity.

During the conversation, Perino also discussed a dialogue she had with Mike McCurry, who served under former President Bill Clinton, regarding whether allowing cameras into the White House briefing room had done more harm than good. Perino is currently a co-anchor on Fox News' "America's Newsroom." The full interview with Hannity is available on iHeartRadio, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms.