Charles Barkley allegedly threatens to hit female reporter

NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is being accused of threatening to hit a female reporter after she asked him who he is supporting for president.

Alexi McCammond, a reporter for Axios, accused Barkley of saying, “I don’t hit women but if I did I would hit you.” McCammond made the allegation on Twitter Tuesday night.

McCammond said Barkley made the remark while speaking off the record, but said she published his comment regardless:

McCammond was questioning Barkley about his support of newly announced Democratic presidential contender Deval Patrick, the former governor of Massachusetts. Barkley had previously supported South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is one of 10 candidates in Atlanta on Wednesday for the fifth Democratic presidential debate being held at Tyler Perry Studios.

Here is the statement from Barkley, which was released by Turner Sports:

Who's who in Atlanta's Democratic presidential debate Former vice president Joe Biden U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris Tom Steyer Andrew Yang U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar U.S. Sen. Cory Booker South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg

»MORE: Facts, figures about Atlanta's presidential debate

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Tim Darnell