* Reposting this from Isabel’s morning briefing. The Tribune’s Alice Yin…

* Tribune follow up…

But Giannoulias campaign spokesperson Hanah Jubeh denied Saturday that Giannoulias apologized to Rabbitt. Jubeh did not elaborate.

Jubeh then released a statement Monday in response to questions about Gardiner’s controversies, saying Giannoulias’ support for him did not constitute an endorsement of the alderman’s re-election bid. Two challengers are running against Gardiner in the February 2027 election. […]

Rabbitt stood by his account of the phone call after Giannoulias’ campaign denied that he apologized.

* Scroll down…

Gardiner in his reelection campaign launch speech on Thursday castigated the “fake news media,” according to a Facebook video in which Giannoulias appears in the background.

“You may not like it, but there’s probably going to be a mayoral runoff. It’s probably going to be Brandon Johnson and Alexi Giannoulias,” Gardiner said in the kickoff video. “The city of Chicago cannot afford another four years of this guy on the 5th floor. Bottom line. He’s got to go, either through the door or through the window.”

So, Giannoulias wants to build a coalition with this guy? Seriously?

Alexi needs to disavow Gardiner right freaking now.