Last Updated on December 6, 2023
Today News Africa publisher Simon Ateba continues his quest to get his questions answered in the White House briefing room, despite White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s apparent hatred of him. The Joe Biden White House press office even sent Simon Ateba a long, rambling letter warning him that they might try to kick him out of the White House.
American populists are firmly standing with Simon Ateba, the man who famously said, “I hope when I yell a question, the American people will understand.” Indeed we do understand. But White House officials do not seem to understand Simon Ateba’s journalistic method, and they actually seem to fear him. The White House letter to Simon Ateba, which Ateba released on X, really has to be read to be believed. How much of the taxpayers’ time did they spend crafting this angry written meltdown?
“Mr. Ateba, On July 11, 2023, we wrote to you about your disruptive behavior at multiple press briefings, reminded you that we expect professional behavior on White House grounds, and warned you of the consequences that could result if you continue to impede briefings or events by shouting over colleagues who have been called on for a question, even after you have been asked to stop by a White House employee,” the White House letter states.
“As we explained in that letter, we strongly support the important role that members of the press play in covering the White House, but the back-and-forth that takes place between White House officials and the press only works when the individuals involved engage with each other in a professional and respectful manner. Unfortunately, even though we previously placed you on notice of conduct that would run afoul of basic expectations of professionalism, you again engaged in the warned-against conduct by disrupting a press briefing on November 30, 2023. Specifically, as the Press Secretary attempted to call on one of your colleagues, you talked over both your colleague and the Press Secretary, preventing the question from being asked and interfering with the Press Secretary’s and the National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications’ ability to have a dialogue with members of the press. The Press Secretary asked you twice ‘to be respectful’ and warned you three times that your disruption could result in ending the briefing, but you continued to shout over your colleagues and the Press Secretary,” the White House letter states.
“As we emphasized in our July 11 letter, continued interruptions prevent journalists from asking questions and administration officials and guests from responding. The Press Secretary’s only option in response to such disruptions is to stop the briefing or event, which is to the detriment of all journalists. That is precisely what happened because of your disruptions on November 30. “We previously warned you that continuing to engage in disruptive conduct at press briefings could result in the suspension or revocation of your hard pass, which you possessed at the time of the July 11 letter. Because you no longer have a hard pass, we are writing to make clear that if you continue to impede briefings or events by shouting over your colleagues who have been called on for a question, even after you have been asked to stop by a White House employee, your access to the White House campus for press-related events through the day pass system may be restricted. Any such restriction would come with an opportunity to be heard. We note, however, that in light of your history of disruptive conduct— recounted in detail in the July 11 letter—you may immediately be denied access to press-related events, pending such an opportunity to be heard, should you engage in further conduct that violates the expectations of professional behavior on White House grounds,” the White House letter states.
“We hope that you will work with us to avoid any future issues in the press briefing room or at other events at the White House. If you would like to comment on this letter, please reply by email within 7 days,” the White House letter states.
The Campaign Show with Patrick Howley delved into the Simon Ateba vs. Karine Jean-Pierre controversy on Tuesday’s episode:
In July the White House even threatened to yank Simon’s press pass. But remember when CNN hack Jim Acosta got his press pass taken away when the Trump White House said that Acosta made physical contact with a female Trump White House intern during one of Acosta’s televised meltdowns? CNN sued President Trump and Acosta got his press pass back, because apparently Acosta had his Fifth Amendment rights violated when Trump didn’t explicitly tell him that he was preparing to take away Acosta’s press badge? Regardless, it seems clear that if a total hack like Jim Acosta can keep his press pass, then so can Simon Ateba. And the American people have Simon Ateba’s back.
Unlike Jim Acosta, Simon Ateba is a cool person, according to his Tucker Carlson segment. Simon Ateba’s pinned tweet on X states: “Attacked by pirates on the Gulf of Guinea with an AK47 to my head, kidnapped in Nigeria, dumped in the woods & left for dead, arrested in Cameroon during investigation & kept in dark cell only to be sidelined at the White House. This is how Tucker Carlson introduced me to America.”
HERE ARE SIMON ATEBA’S MOST BASED MOMENTS:
- Victory Over Both John Kirby And Karine Jean-Pierre: Recently, Simon Ateba tried to ask a question and he stoked the anger of Biden White House National Security Council “communications” dweeb John Kirby and also Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary. KJP is Simon Ateba’s foremost opponent, and it seems like Simon Ateba is really getting the better of KJP. The White House press secretary rampaged out of the White House press briefing, surrendering to the spiritual power of Simon Ateba’s truth.
On the incident, Simon Ateba of Today News Africa stated: “It’s a shame that @WhiteHouse @PressSec Karine Jean-Pierre decided to abruptly end the press briefing rather than take a question from me after a year. Even when President Biden is hosting an African leader like the President of Angola today, the White House does not take a question from the African journalist in the room.”
“I am highly disappointed and even heartbroken that in the citadel of democracy, and in the most powerful house in the world, I’m being discriminated against for a year for trying to do my job while journalist colleagues remain silent. May God help me,” Simon Ateba said.
Simon Ateba’s feud with Karine Jean-Pierre extends outside the White House.
2. Simon Ateba Swipes Left For THIS Coffee Date
Simon Ateba of Today News Africa tweeted in June: “If eyes could kill, I would be dead right now. At a restaurant minutes ago, Karine Jean-Pierre gave me a deadly look. As I was picking up a napkin, I realized she was standing on my left side, so I said hi. She looked at me full of anger and didn’t respond. I didn’t know it was this bad. Next time I will record a video.” Evidently, Karine Jean-Pierre wears a mask at a coffeeshop in the year 2023, according to the photo that Simon Ateba tweeted.
3. Simon Ateba Was More Entertaining Than Jason Sudeikis
Simon Ateba delayed the Cringe White House press conference by Hollywood comedy actor Jason Sudeikis approximately 8 months ago, and proved himself to be a far more hilarious entertainer than Sudeikis, who had few memorable characters in his years on Saturday Night Live.
“This is not China. This is not Russia” Simon Ateba said at the Sudeikis briefing, railing against censorship. Here’s another angle on Karine Jean-Pierre’s defeated demeanor:
4. Simon Ateba wrangled with Karine Jean-Pierre about eleven months ago, prompting the White House press secretary to shut down the briefing:
5. Simon Ateba ticked off John Kirby:
6. Simon Ateba flustered Jen Psaki, who often seemed frazzled during her tenure as White House press secretary.
7. Karine may have said “I’m moving on,” but Simon Ateba still wants to ask a question!
