Karine Jean-Pierre Shuts Down Briefing With John Kirby After Chaos Breaks Out Over Ateba Question

The White House’s press briefing came to an abrupt end on Thursday when Simon Ateba once again interrupted his fellow reporters and caused a chaotic disturbance.

National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby joined Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for the briefing again, during which he was questioned about President Joe Biden hosting Angolan President João Lourenço at the White House today.

Kirby spoke about the U.S. interests in Africa that Biden hopes to advance with the meeting, but later in the briefing, Ateba cut in to ask a follow-up question, but then he complained, “It’s so surprising you are receiving an African leader and you don’t take a question from an African journalist.”

From there, the briefing devolved into unintelligible crosstalk, so Jean-Pierre dismissed Kirby as she stepped back up to the podium.

“We can end this briefing if it’s not going to be respectful here,” Jean-Pierre warned. The Today News Africa correspondent immediately resumed his outburst, so Jean-Pierre called the briefing quits right then and there.

Ateba has derailed the White House’s press briefings numerous times with his disruptive heckling, drawing the ire of Jean-Pierre and his fellow journalists. The White House has warned him earlier this year that if his antics continue, his press room credentials will be revoked.

Watch above.