On November 7th, the White House suspended the press pass of CNN’s Jim Acosta after he and US President Donald Trump had a heated exchange during a news conference. The reporter was also accused of “putting his hands” on a young female White House intern.
It all began with Acosta, who according to Trump is a “rude, terrible person,” started asking question regarding the migrant caravan heading to the US border from Latin America. When the CNN reporter attempted to follow up with another question, Trump interrupted him and said “That’s enough.” Then a female White House intern attempted to grab the microphone from Acosta. The video clearly shows that the young woman put attempted to grab him and the microphone first, when Jim Acosta shoved her hand away using force.
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
We stand by our decision to revoke this individual’s hard pass. We will not tolerate the inappropriate behavior clearly documented in this video. pic.twitter.com/T8X1Ng912y
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
The interaction is brief, and he appears to brush her arm by force as he tries to grab the microphone out of his hands. “Pardon me, ma’am,” he told her.
Reports claimed that Acosta was attempting to ask about the migrant caravan. However, the videos clearly show that as soon as the White House intern attempted to grab his microphone he started asking about the Russian investigation, a topic that is sure to raise the President’s temper and cause a “scene.”
White House Press secretary Sarah Sanders then released a long statement on Twitter accusing Acosta of “placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House Intern,” calling it “absolutely unacceptable.” She further claimed that the White House, especially under the Trump administration welcomes tough questions.
This is a lie. https://t.co/FastFfWych
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
Despite that, Jim Acosta’s conduct is also unacceptable. He starts with questions and openly says that he would like to “challenge” Trump and then refuses to pass the microphone along. He also interrupts his colleagues by attempting to further confront the US President.
What Acosta is doing is precisely what Trump is talking about. He is creating “fake news,” he is not attempting to provide facts or reflect the truth, the CNN reporter is using his negative feelings towards the President, as well as his media outlet’s also generally confrontational approach to Trump to create a sort of scandal.
Later on, for the next round of questions it appeared that Jim Acosta’s White House entry credentials were revoked as a member of the secret service requested him to return them. This can be seen on the video he released of the “incident.”
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
Trump’s response to Acosta’s conduct was: “CNN should be ashamed of itself, having you working for them.” The response reflected that Acosta isn’t using his press pass to reflect the truth, he is using it to express his own opinion, which for some reason mainstream media do not consider as “bad” journalism.
This is also the second time Jim Acosta attempts to confront Trump. The CNN reporter clashed with Trump over Brett Kavanaugh, also suggesting that the word be given to some female reporters, who according to him were disregarded.
Apart from the Acosta controversy, there were a few other points during the press conference.
PBS NewsHour’s Yamiche Alcindor asked Trump about whether white nationalists were emboldened by the president’s decision to label himself a “nationalist.”
“That’s such a racist question,” said Trump.
He also said Republicans who distanced themselves from him performed “very poorly.” He expressed frustration that 43 House Republicans retired rather than seek re-election, saying that hurt his party.
The highlight was warning Democrats against launching investigations into him, following their win of the House of Representatives.
CNN’s Jake Tapper said that a Democratic-controlled House would “be a big problem for President Trump going forward.”
“If he thinks that the media is annoying, wait till he meets a Democratic House that has subpoena power and actually has the legal ability to force them to turn over documents,” Tapper noted. “We’re going to look like nothing compared to that. He is going to find an opposition that he has never really encountered before.”
At least, Tapper appears to realize that the individuals that need to challenge Trump are in the Congress, not in a news conference room.
What a disspakible fool.
which of the two?
They are all idiots. As planned. Anything to deflect US citizens attention from the real issues. US aggression and war crimes, healthcare, livable wages, infrastructure etc. etc. etc. But the only things that get talked about are self driving cars, Antifa, and girls who want to be boys who want to be girls and some guy who shot up twelve people today. Whatever. Its done.
“At least, Tapper appears to realize that the individuals that need to challenge Trump are in the Congress, not in a news conference room.” Really? Since when is this correct? Isn’t this how the US got in the shape it’s in…the press not doing it’s job and rubber stamping and even enabling all the illegal crap done by those in office? How did the 9/11 cover story become accepted? How do the Israelis appear to be friends of the US? We’re not talking about a reporter being rude and fomenting ‘fake news’, we’re talking about the press doing it’s F’ing job. Trusting the congress to be up front with the people is how we got here. As for the repugs that retired…it’s called getting out while the gittin’s good. As for being a rude person, Trump has no room to talk…especially when it comes to putting ones hands on women. Reminds me of Bibi talking about terrorism.
Who put Mr. Acosta up for this? lol Somebody must have been encouraging his behaviour.