Syndicated radio host Dana Loesch is discussing an incident in the White House press briefing room involving a reporter claiming press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre demonized him. Simon Ateba, a White House reporter for Today News Africa, has frequently challenged Jean-Pierre.
During a recent special visit to the press room by the cast of Ted Lasso, Ateba once again demanded to be allowed to ask a question. He accused Jean-Pierre of mocking the First Amendment, which several other reporters defended. Other reporters told Ateba to mind his manners in the press room.
Loesch remarked that one aspect of the clip that caught her attention was the conduct of the other journalists. She questioned the free press’s loyalty and said reporters should support their fellow journalists by asking questions.
“He (Ateba) is there because he has serious questions to ask,” Loesch said. “He wanted to ask his questions; he didn’t want to sit there for a press tour of Ted Lasso, which is what they were doing it for. I was shocked by that because he is rarely called on.”
Loesch shared disappointment at the negative response she witnessed in the media towards Ateba’s attempt to ask a question.
“From programs like The View, I expect it, but from other reporters who were there, what blows my mind, if that had been a Republican administration when people like Jim Acosta would yell questions, he was defended.”
Ateba joined Loesch to delve into the intricacies of the press briefing room at the White House. According to him, CNN analyst, Brian Karem, was among those who criticized him.
“He’s very disrespectful; he was removed from the White House because he became violent in the Rose Garden,” said Ateba. “He was fired in 1992 by a TV station because he was rude to President Bush. He confronted President Trump’s press secretary and was warned many times.”
“Simon Ateba is one of the few real journalists left in the world,” added Loesch.
