White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre abruptly left Thursday’s press briefing in frustration after facing persistent questioning from an African reporter regarding why he was not being given the opportunity to ask a question.
This incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between Jean-Pierre and Simon Ateba of Today News Africa. Ateba had previously accused the White House of discrimination in June, claiming that he was not permitted to pose questions during briefings.
Ateba sought to ask a follow-up question about Angola to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby after he had addressed a different topic. Kirby had been responding to inquiries related to the Thursday visit of Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço to the White House.
Despite Ateba’s attempt to participate, Jean-Pierre bypassed him and selected another reporter. Ateba expressed his surprise at the decision, highlighting the irony of not allowing a question from an African journalist during the visit of an African leader.
In response to the perceived disrespect, Jean-Pierre declared, “We can end this briefing right now,” as Ateba protested. Ateba continued to voice his frustration even as the reporter chosen by Jean-Pierre attempted to ask her question.
“We can end this briefing if it’s not going to be respectful here,” Jean-Pierre stated, stepping to the podium. A reporter could be heard mumbling, “Oh, my God.”
“You are receiving an African leader, and you don’t take a question,” Ateba continued before Jean-Pierre cut him off, picked up her notes, and walked away from the podium, concluding with a curt “Thanks, everybody.”
As she exited, visibly upset, one reporter attempted to pose another question, but Jean-Pierre cut him off as well, reiterating her decision to end the briefing.
It’s worth noting that earlier this year, the White House had threatened to revoke Ateba’s press privileges following a viral clash between him and Jean-Pierre during a June 26 press briefing, where he criticized her for not allowing him to ask any questions.
