Audio Reveals Atlantic Journalist Was Told to Leave Crockett Campaign Rally

Congresswoman's team called reporter a "top-notch hater" and ordered her to leave the event

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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An Atlantic journalist named Elaine Godfrey was attending a campaign rally for Rep. Jasmine Crockett in Lubbock, Texas when she was told by a security guard to leave the event. Godfrey had been interviewing people in the crowd when a woman, apparently speaking on behalf of Crockett's team, said they considered Godfrey a "top-notch hater" who would "spin" the story and ordered her to leave. Godfrey recorded the interaction and later followed up with Crockett, who sounded surprised when Godfrey identified herself on the phone but then hung up.

Why it matters

This incident raises questions about press access and freedom at political campaign events, as well as the relationship between elected officials and the media covering them. It also highlights the growing tensions between some politicians and journalists they perceive as biased or unfair.

The details

Godfrey, a staff writer covering national politics for The Atlantic, was wearing her press badge and had attempted to join a closed-door press scrum with Crockett that was open to other reporters. When she was turned away, she decided to start interviewing people in the crowd. That's when a security guard approached her and told her Crockett's team wanted her to leave, calling her a "top-notch hater" who would "spin" the story.

  • On Friday, February 27, 2026, Godfrey was attending Crockett's campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas.

The players

Elaine Godfrey

A staff writer covering national politics for The Atlantic magazine.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett

A U.S. Congresswoman whose campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas is the subject of this incident.

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What they’re saying

“Her team wants her to leave, and they're asking her to leave.”

— Unidentified woman (audio recording)

“They just said, 'Elaine from Atlantic, white girl with a hat and notepad. She's interviewing people in the crowd. She's a top-notch hater and will spin. She needs to leave.'”

— Unidentified woman (audio recording)

“Oh!”

— Rep. Jasmine Crockett (Phone call with Elaine Godfrey)

What’s next

Godfrey plans to continue following up with Rep. Crockett and her team about the incident and the reasons behind her being asked to leave the campaign rally.

The takeaway

This event highlights the ongoing tensions between some politicians and the journalists covering them, as well as the importance of press freedom and access at political events. It raises questions about how elected officials and their campaigns handle media interactions, and whether they are unfairly targeting or restricting certain reporters they perceive as biased.