Fireworks Erupts As Trump and Acosta Go Toe to Toe Once Again
While visiting India, President Trump scolded CNN reporter Jim Acosta – I wouldn’t dare call him a journalist and insult journalists everywhere – during a press conference.
Acosta asked if he would promise not to receive foreign interference and also questioned his choice of replacing Joseph Macguire.
ACOSTA: “Can you pledge to the American people that you will not accept any foreign assistance in the upcoming election?”
TRUMP: “First of all, I want no help from any country, and I haven’t been given help from any country and if you see what CNN, your wonderful network, said, I guess they apologized in a way for — didn’t they apologize for the fact that they said certain things that weren’t true? Tell me, what was their apology yesterday? What did they say?”
ACOSTA: “Mr. President. I think our record on delivering the truth is a lot better than yours sometimes, if you don’t mind me saying.”
TRUMP: “Let me tell you about your record, your record is so bad you ought to be ashamed of yourself. You have the worst record in the history of broadcasting.”
ACOSTA: “I’m not ashamed of anything and our organization is not ashamed.”
You’ll remember that back in 2018 Acosta had his press credentials temporarily revoked following an incident in which Acosta refused to turn over the microphone after asking two questions, even getting physical about it.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders who was acting as Press Secretary at the time said this about that day, “CNN, who has nearly 50 additional hard pass holders, and Mr. Acosta is no more or less special than any other media outlet or reporter with respect to the First Amendment. After Mr. Acosta asked the President two questions — each of which the President answered — he physically refused to surrender a White House microphone to an intern, so that other reporters might ask their questions. This was not the first time this reporter has inappropriately refused to yield to other reporters.”