Raccoons approach CNN White House reporter in pre-dawn attack: ‘Frickin’ raccoons, man!’

• Raccoons struck again on the White House lawn early Wednesday morning, with a CNN reporter fending off an attack right before his live shot.
• CNN caught the encounter on camera, with reporter Joe Johns throwing something at the critter and telling it to get lost.
• “Frickin’ raccoons, man,” Johns said. “God, again! That’s the second time. Jesus.”
• Raccoons rampaged through several tents outside the White House recently, tearing into TV crews’ gear in broad daylight.
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Early Wednesday morning, raccoons returned to the the White House and tried to attack at least one reporter.

CNN reporter Joe Johns was trying to do an early morning live shot for “New Day” when a raccoon approached.

Johns sprung into action, throwing the nearest object at the critter and telling it to “get!” as he tried to salvage his TV hit.

 “Frickin’ raccoons, man,” Johns said. “God, again! That’s the second time. Jesus.”

—Alisyn Camerota (@AlisynCamerota) October 7, 2020

Raccoons recently ransacked tents along the White House lawn used by TV crews, that time in broad daylight.

Johns later tweeted his theory that the pre-dawn raccoons are drawn to the bright lights around the live shot setup.

—joe johns (@joejohnscnn) October 7, 2020