Disruptive reporter derails White House briefing with Ted Lasso cast

The White House press conference with the cast of Ted Lasso descended into chaos on the Monday before it began when a disruptive reporter berated Karine Jean-Pierre for not answering his questions.

Jason Sudeikis was ready to discuss mental health with the co-stars of the award-winning show when Today News Africa correspondent Simon Ateba began yelling at President Biden’s press secretary.

“You’re making fun of the First Amendment… It’s been seven months and you haven’t called me,” he told the press secretary as the cast looked on in bewilderment.

“They have been discriminating against me and some people at the briefing,” he yelled as other members of the press and Sudeikis and other celebrities looked on.

“This is not China, this is not Russia,” he added when reporters chimed in and told him they were fed up with his conduct. Jean-Pierre has frequently berated Ateba in the past, but this time the reporters in the room demanded that he shut up so he could begin the only event of the day to interact with a senior White House official.

“You’re attacking everybody here just trying to do their job,” said reporter Brian Karem, and another correspondent said: “The rest of us are here too, mate.”

Jason Sudeikis appeared to discuss mental health with the co-stars of the award-winning show when Today News Africa correspondent Simon Ateba (centre) began berating President Biden’s press secretary.

Ateba’s outburst came before Jean-Pierre or the celebrities he placed behind her had a chance to speak.

Jean-Pierre tried to speak over Ateba, who interrupted her several times in the past, while yelling: ‘No. No. No. We’re not going to do this. We’re not going to do this,’ he intoned.

‘We are ready? I’m going to behave,’ said Jean-Pierre after allowing a long pause.

After Ateba interrupted again, individual reporters urged him to stop. “Decorum, please,” said NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell, a longtime reporter and member of the White House Correspondents Association.

Ateba has received multiple complaints and the White House Correspondents Association has warned him about his behavior. The group regularly provides updates on the ‘property’ in their outreach to members.

The White House which controls press credentials for the building.

Only after the tense confrontation was Sudeikis able to speak. He and the cast of ‘Ted Lasso’ were seen entering the White House residence before the event. He made a short speech on mental health.

“It doesn’t matter who you are … we all know someone … who has struggled, who has felt isolated, who has felt anxious, who has felt alone,” he said.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby took the podium to discuss the meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, and Ateba tried to intervene again.

Later in the briefing, an Associated Press White House correspondent apologized on behalf of the press, telling Jean-Pierre: “This is not about us.”

Ateba spoke aloud again, but this time without shouting. “The American people want you to be fair to everyone,” he said.

Sudeikis, who plays coach Ted Lasso, managed to issue a statement about mental health after the first interruption.

“The big theme of the show is to reach out to your neighbor, your co-worker, your friends, your family, and ask them how they’re doing, and listen honestly,” Sudeikis said.

‘You all ask questions for a living, but you all listen for a living. So who am I preaching to? The chorus, that is.

He added: “And while this is easier said than done, we should also know not to be afraid to ask for help ourselves.”

Cast members Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham, Brendan Hunt, and Toheeb Jimoh stood on either side of the podium.

Jason Sudeikis, who plays Coach Lasso, managed to get a statement about mental health

Sudeikis is flanked by cast members Ted Lasso Brett Goldstein and Hannah Waddingham as he hugs press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

‘Contact your neighbor, your co-worker, your friends, your family and ask how they are doing. And listen honestly,’ Sudeikis said in the briefing room

The tense confrontation came at what the White House staged to be a light-hearted moment, albeit on a serious topic. Jean-Pierre previously hosted members of the K-Pop band BTS, though the group announced it would go on hiatus shortly after his visit.

He even featured a moment with British actor James Lance, who plays journalist Trent Crimm on the show. standing among the reporters to ask a question of Sudeikas.