Proving yet again that President Trump and the media need each other in the way that the Joker needs Batman, an altercation between CNN's Jim Acosta and a White House aide during the president's press conference Wednesday produced a series of absurdities, each more shameful than the one before it.
First, Trump berated Acosta for daring to question the president's characterization of the migrant caravan as an invasion. "I think you should let me run the country, you run CNN," said Trump. "And if you did it well, your ratings would be much better."
Next, Acosta attempted to ask another question and refused to yield the microphone, even when his turn was up and a young woman—described by some media outlets as a White House aide or intern—tried to take it back. Acosta rudely rebuffed the poor woman, moving the mic away from her as if they were playing high stakes keep-away. Reporters should challenge the powerful, but the picture of an older male reporter making a younger female staffer uncomfortable wasn't pretty, especially when Acosta's only purpose was to showboat for the cameras.
The White House upped the ante significantly. Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders accused Acosta of "placing his hands" on the intern. You can watch the video for yourself: It's clear that nothing of the sort happened. Acosta might have embarrassed the poor woman, but he didn't assault her.
The end result: The White House decided to revoke Acosta's press clearance. CNN is standing by its reporter, and accused Sanders of making "fraudulent accusations."
"This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better," said CNN in a statement.
Whether or not that's true, Sanders' description of Acosta's actions was inaccurate, and thus a false accusation. It was very wrong to make such a claim. The White House ought to be more careful, and the administration certainly shouldn't banish reporters for being critical. Give Acosta back his credential—and a warning not to hog the mic—and let's move on to the next Trump vs. the media outrage. God knows both sides love it. As the Joker put it in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight: "I don't wanna kill you. What would I do without you?"
#1: Deckard To: All (#0)
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted a video of a press-briefing altercation involving a CNN reporter that appears to have been edited in a way that makes the reporter’s actions look more aggressive, according to an analysis by a social-media intelligence firm Storyful (owned by News Corp, the same company that owns FOX News).
Deckard posted on 2018-11-09 06:18:08 Reply Private Reply
#2: Stoner To: Deckard (#1)
However, I saw a video of the news conference yesterday. One thing was very obvious to me. Accosta = a ARROGANT BELLIGERENT ASSHOLE !!!
After her encounter with him, if the intern had kicked him in the balls, I would have said GOOD !!
Stoner posted on 2018-11-09 07:38:21 Reply Private Reply
#3: Deckard To: Stoner (#2)
No disagreement here - he was grandstanding. I think he wanted this to happen.
Deckard posted on 2018-11-09 08:03:44 Reply Private Reply
#4: misterwhite To: Deckard (#0)
WHAT? Real reporters ask questions and report the news. He argued with the President.
THE PRESIDENT: Let’s go. Let’s go. Come on.
ACOSTA: That this caravan was an “invasion.” As you know, Mr. President …
THE PRESIDENT: I consider it to be an invasion.
ACOSTA: As you know, Mr. President, the caravan was not an invasion. It’s a group of migrants moving up from Central America towards the border with the U.S.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for telling me that. I appreciate it.
ACOSTA: Why did you characterize it as such? And …
THE PRESIDENT: Because I consider it an invasion. You and I have a difference of opinion.
ACOSTA: But do you think that you demonized immigrants in this election …
THE PRESIDENT: Not at all. No, not at all.
..
..
..
..
ACOSTA: They’re hundreds of miles of way though. They’re hundreds and hundreds of miles away.
THE PRESIDENT: You know what?
ACOSTA: That’s not an invasion.
THE PRESIDENT: I think you should — honestly, I think you should let me run the country, you run CNN …
ACOSTA: All right.
THE PRESIDENT: — and if you did it well, your ratings would be much better.
misterwhite posted on 2018-11-09 09:13:10 Reply Private Reply
#5: misterwhite To: Deckard (#0)
It's clear he did! Who are you going to believe -- CNN or your lyin' eyes?
misterwhite posted on 2018-11-09 09:17:56 Reply Private Reply
#6: Deckard To: misterwhite (#5)
The Sanders recording was manipulated.
Deckard posted on 2018-11-09 09:30:29 Reply Private Reply
#7: misterwhite To: Deckard (#6)
I believe it was the InfoWars recording, not hers. So ignore it. Use the C C-SPAN video. Changes nothing.
misterwhite posted on 2018-11-09 09:39:59 Reply Private Reply
#8: jeremiad To: misterwhite (#5)
jeremiad posted on 2018-11-09 11:08:00 Reply Private Reply
#9: Justified To: Deckard (#1)
She was assaulted not like someone got physically hurt but blocked and pushed her away. Do that to a police officer and you will be arrested!
I do not think Acosta should be charged for assault but he should have his credentials pulled and even fired from Clinton National Network. But when has the Clinton's ever cared about women anyway? Especially White House interns!
Justified posted on 2018-11-09 11:32:51 Reply Private Reply
#10: misterwhite To: Justified (#9)
misterwhite posted on 2018-11-09 12:39:07 Reply Private Reply
#11: goldilucky To: Deckard (#0)
goldilucky posted on 2018-11-09 14:28:27 Reply Private Reply
#12: CZ82 To: Stoner (#2)
What the girl should have said knowing it was a hot mic "You do that again and I'll shove the mic up your ass"!!! And if he took a swing at her it would have been the perfect opportunity to sic security on him and drag him out by his toupee.
lol
CZ82 posted on 2018-11-09 17:56:33 Reply Private Reply
#13: IbJensen To: Deckard (#0)
IbJensen posted on 2018-11-13 11:23:29 Reply Private Reply