Karine Jean-Pierre walks out of WH press conference as African reporter tries to ask a question

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre walked out of a White House press briefing on Thursday after Today News Africa Correspondent Simon Ateba pressed her for not calling on an African journalist amid a visit from the president of Angola.

Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço visited the White House on Thursday, according to Fox News. Ateba had attempted to ask a question of White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on the visit, though Jean-Pierre declined to call on him.

"You are receiving an African leader, but you can't take a question from an African journalist," Ateba said to Jean-Pierre. He continued to protest over another reporter whom the press secretary had selected. Jean-Pierre then ushered a visibly frustrated Kirby away from the podium and took his place.

"We can end this briefing if it's not going to be respectful here," she said, before again calling on another reporter. Ateba continued to speak, prompting her to simply walk out of the room.

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

 Ateba letter defended himself on X, resharing a Fox News article on the exchange and saying "[Fox News] uses worst pictures of me, but remember, I'm just trying to do my job, but I'm being discriminated against right in the White House. "

The exchange marks the latest tense moment between Ateba and Jean-Pierre this year. The White House warned him July that his repeated interruptions could cost him his press pass. Ateba, in August, sued White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and the Secret Service alleging they had illegally revoked his press credentials.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.