“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin called Today News Africa reporter Simon Ateba a “horrible person” after he disrupted Monday’s White House press briefing.
Ateba spoke out almost immediately after the briefing got started to question why, apparently after seven months, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had not called on certain reporters “across the room.”
“We’re not doing this, we’re not doing this, we’re not doing this,” Jean-Pierre said as she tried to quiet Ateba.
Other journalists in the room could be heard screaming down Ateba, calling for “decorum” while another shouted, “Let it go.”
Co-host Joy Behar began listing past alleged comments from Ateba dating back to 2013 and claimed Ateba is not a “serious” journalist. Hostin chimed in to agree, but said Ateba likely could not be banned from the White House. (RELATED: ‘It’s Been Hell’: Simon Ateba Dives Into Conflict With Jean-Pierre After Receiving ‘Winner Of 2022’ Award)
“He’s clearly a horribly person, and maybe shouldn’t be in the White House briefing room,” Hostin said. “However, he does have what’s called a ‘hard pass,’ I believe, which means he doesn’t have a seat assigned. So when other people don’t show up, he gets to ask questions.”
Hostin argued if Jean-Pierre is going to allow Fox News’ Peter Doocy to ask questions solely for “infotainment” purposes, then Jean-Pierre “should call on [Ateba] as well.”
The rest of the panel then said Ateba needs to have decorum and review his behavior.