White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre abruptly ended the daily press briefing Thursday after being repeatedly interrupted by Today News Africa correspondent Simon Ateba.

The chaos and confusion unfolded in the White House briefing room about 35 minutes into the briefing.

Mr. Ateba, who has chafed both the administration and the White House Correspondents’ Association with his frequent outbursts in the briefing room, began talking over other reporters asking questions.

He sought to ask national security spokesperson John Kirby about President Biden’s meeting with Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço later Thursday.

“You are receiving an African leader, and you can’t take a question from an African journalist,” Mr. Ateba asked while interrupting another reporter asking a question.

“We can end this briefing it’s not going to be respectful here,” Ms. Jean-Pierre said, calling on another reporter.

Mr. Ateba remained undeterred.

“You are receiving an African leader and you don’t take questions,” he shot back.

“Thanks. Thanks, everybody,” Ms. Jean-Pierre responded as she stormed off the podium, ending the briefing early.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.