KJP Abruptly Leaves White House Briefing After Questions From African Reporter
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stormed out of a Thursday press briefing after questions from an African reporter.
Simon Atemba of Today News Africa was following up with a question after being ignored as Jean-Pierre moved on to another reporter.
WATCH: Karine Jean-Pierre storms out of White House press briefing when pressed by African reporter https://t.co/HaR3baMpzG
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 30, 2023
"It is so surprising that you don't take — you are receiving an African leader, but you can't take a question from an African journalist," Ateba said after being skipped over, according to Fox News.
"OK, we can end this briefing right now," Jean-Pierre said in response to Ateba's pressure.
BREAKING: Karine Jean-Pierre ENDS the White House briefing in chaos after refusing to call on an African journalist
She took zero questions. pic.twitter.com/6XjvViASgb
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 30, 2023
"Other reporters have also had encounters with Jean-Pierre that led to frustration," Sky News reported.
"In October, New York Post journalist Steven Nelson called out to the US Press Secretary saying he had been ignored for roughly 'two seasons,' he said," it continued.
The White House has also threatened to revoke Ateba's press access after a June confrontation with Jean-Pierre.
The strong response by the White House press secretary follows ongoing criticisms of her role, noting that she continues to leave questions unanswered.
Others have noted her tendency to largely avoid reporters whose views oppose hers, including Ateba, who has often pushed for more details on issues related to Africa.
The latest showdown shows once again the press secretary's inability or unwillingness to take on tough reporters, following the pattern of the Biden administration seen by President Joe Biden throughout his first term as he has largely avoided interactions with reporters and has the lowest number of interviews of any president in recent history.
