The confrontation between CNN’s Jim Acosta, who attempted to ask Trump hard questions at Wednesday’s press conference about the racist rhetoric the president used about a group of migrants headed to the U.S. border, and Trump has boiled over into a fiasco.
I’ve just been denied entrance to the WH. Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
Acosta’s press credentials were revoked by the White House and the journalist is no longer allowed on White House grounds. Secret Service informed him that he would not be allowed to finish his job of reporting for the night.
The US Secret Service just asked for my credential to enter the WH. As I told the officer, I don’t blame him. I know he’s just doing his job. (Sorry this video is not rightside up) pic.twitter.com/juQeuj3B9R
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
Acosta appeared on Jake Tapper’s show on Wednesday night to offer a response.
‘I had a question to ask. He just didn’t like hearing that question. He didn’t like being challenged on that point. And he certainly doesn’t like being called out for his falsehoods. But of course Jake, as you were just mentioning, that’s our job. That’s what we do over here.’
He finished by adding, “when they go low, we keep doing our jobs.” Accusing a man who clearly did not attack anyone of assault is surely going as low as possible.
This is a lie. https://t.co/FastFfWych
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
Accusations have even begun to fly from Trump’s press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, that Acosta assaulted the female press aide who attempted to grab the microphone from Acosta’s hand. Sanders offered her take on Twitter.
President Trump believes in a free press and expects and welcomes tough questions of him and his Administration. We will, however, never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern…
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
Contrary to CNN’s assertions there is no greater demonstration of the President’s support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters…
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
…over the course of 1.5 hours including several from the reporter in question. The fact that CNN is proud of the way their employee behaved is not only disgusting, it‘s an example of their outrageous disregard for everyone, including young women, who work in this Administration
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
For video of the exchange, see below:
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
