Watch Michael Phelps Shut Down Reporter During Super Awkward Live Interview at Airport

Michael Phelps shut down a reporter who tried to do an interview with him at an airport in Arizona.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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After adding five gold medals and one silver medal to his collection at the Rio Olympics, Michael Phelps is back on U.S. soil and, apparently, back in the pool. He posted this photo on Instagram on Wednesday afternoon after arriving back in Arizona where he lives with his fiancée Nicole Johnson and his son Boomer:

But before Phelps arrived back home, he endured a suuuuuuuper awkward moment on live TV when 3TV’s Good Morning Arizona tried to score an interview with the Olympic star at the airport. The plan was basically to ambush Phelps for a quick interview, and the GMA hosts were understandably excited to take part in the moment. But no one approached Phelps beforehand to run the idea by him, so he wasn’t thrilled when a cameraman ran up on him and his family. And when the reporter on the scene tried to push him to answer at least one question, Phelps got pretty upset with him.

"I’m not answering any questions, guys," he said. "If you can give me that space, while I try to get my family home and safe, I would appreciate it. I appreciate you guys coming, but I’m trying to get my family home safe, and that’s what matters most."

Thing is, he probably would have spent just as much time answering a question or two as he did yelling at the reporter to leave him alone. But it made for one really, really painfully awkward moment. Check it out in the clip above.

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