Hariana Verás Victoria (born 22 July 1984, in Malanje, Angola) is an Angolan journalist and television host based in the United States. She is recognized for being the first African journalist accredited to the White House, the U.S. Senate, and the Pentagon.Hariana breaking the glass ceiling, Little Africa News, 13 June 2022, retrieved 4 July 2025
Career She began her professional career at the age of 18 with the independent newspaper Folha 8 and later contributed to Angolense, TV Zimbo, and the public broadcaster TPA.Temos de ter no País leis fortes que salvaguardem os direitos dos jornalistas» – Hariana Verás, Novo Journal, retrieved 4 July 2025
In 2007, Verás moved to the United States to work as a press assistant at the Angolan Embassy in Washington, D.C., a post she held for nine years. In 2012, she launched the television program Get To Know Africa to highlight African culture, leaders, and success stories from a continental perspective.Realizadora angolana "Hariana Verás" lança programa televisivo nos Estados Unidos para promover o continente africano, Platina Line, retrieved 4 July 2025
Since 2018, Verás has been a correspondent for Angola's TPA (Televisão Pública de Angola), covering international political and economic events, including the United Nations General Assembly and World Bank summits.Hariana Verás: a angolana que ocupa espaço nos centros de poder dos EUA, Bantumen, retrieved 4 July 2025
White House interaction with Donald Trump On 27 June 2025, Hariana Verás participated in a White House press event during the signing of the Congo-Rwanda peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The event, held in the Oval Office, was attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the foreign ministers of both African nations, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Olivier Nduhungirehe.Turning point or pointless turn: Will Congo-Rwanda deal bring peace?, Aljazeera, 1 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025
As the ceremony began, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt invited Verás, whom she described as a "friend", to address the press and guests. Verás spoke about the significance of the accord and praised Trump's role in facilitating it, referencing her recent time interviewing people on the ground in eastern Congo. "I saw hope. They have hope now for a better day in Congo," she said, adding that President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC wanted to nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize.Trump told he might be nominated for Nobel Peace Prize, Metro.co.uk, 28 June 2025
Trump responded: "So beautifully stated. You are beautiful... and you're beautiful inside. I wish I had more reporters like you. I'm not allowed to say that, you know that could be the end of my political career."Trump flirts with female reporter, The Daily Beast, retrieved 4 July 2025
The moment went viral, generating public reaction across social media platforms and international media. While critics accused Trump of impropriety during a diplomatic event, supporters described it as a light-hearted exchange. Verás did not publicly comment on the exchange and continued reporting on the Washington Accord with a focus on the humanitarian significance of the peace deal.Watch Trump's awkward interaction with 'beautiful reporter', Independent UK, 01 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025
The Washington Accord was viewed as a significant step toward ending the decades-long conflict in eastern Congo, where over 100 armed groups have been active and millions have been displaced since the 1990s.Rwanda and Congo sign peace agreement in Washington, Reuters, 27 June 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025
Achievements In March 2021, Verás received a permanent "Hard Pass" from the White House Press Office, granting her formal press access. She became the first African journalist to obtain this credential.Hariana Veras primeira jornalista Africana acreditada no pentagono, Estado News, 13 December 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2025 Verás is also the first African journalist accredited to the Pentagon, where she reports on defense and security matters on behalf of Angola's national broadcaster. She remains the only African journalist accredited to the U.S. Senate. In 2021, she received a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Hampton, Virginia, for her contribution to African-American and African community relations.Jornalista Angolana Hariana Verás Recebe Certificado de Reconhecimento nos Estados Unidos da América, Platina Line,21 August 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2025
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