Reporter Disrupts TWH Monday Presser

WH Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre

Today News Africa reporter Simon Ateba managed to turn Monday's White House press briefing into a screaming match, reports Mediaite.  And it happened despite the fact that the cast of family favorite comedyTed Lasso was in the room.

Simon Ateba

Ateba essentially derailed the celebrity appearance -- meant to draw attention to mental health -- by lamenting the fact that White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre does not call on him enough.

He has launched the same accusation several times before, and on Monday claimed she has been purposefully ignoring him for months because she doesn’t like his questions.

“We’re not doing this! We’re not doing!” Jean-Pierre said as Ateba began yelling from the back of the room.

Jean-Pierre, along with Jason Sudeikis and the rest of the Ted Lasso cast, silently watched on as other reporters turned on Ateba.

“Simon, the rest of us are here too, pal!” one reporter yelled as Ateba compared Jean-Pierre's behavior to Russia and China. 

Wow pic.twitter.com/9VvF6sj01R

— Acyn (@Acyn) March 20, 2023

 Jean-Pierre offered an apology to the Lasso cast amid the chaos, which they graciously accepted despite Ateba's attempts to make the briefing all about himself. 

The press secretary later addressed Ateba and said his behavior was “unacceptable," reminding the press that they were seated in a historic room, which "should have decorum."