Advertisement

CNN journalist Jim Acosta’s White House access revoked after spat with Trump

Click to play video: 'White House aide grabs mic from CNN’s Acosta during heated exchange with Trump'
White House aide grabs mic from CNN’s Acosta during heated exchange with Trump
WATCH: White House aide grabs mic from CNN's Acosta during heated exchange with Trump – Nov 7, 2018

CNN Chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta has been denied entrance into the White House for “placing hands on a young woman” trying to take away his microphone while asking U.S. President a question, the same day Trump said he was “rude” and a “terrible person.”

Acosta posted a video on his Twitter account of a U.S. secret service agent taking away his credentials to enter the White House.

“The US Secret Service just asked for my credential to enter the WH,” Acosta wrote. “As I told the officer, I don’t blame him. He is just doing his job.”

Story continues below advertisement

In a statement, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Acosta’s refusal to give up a microphone to a young staffer who tried to take it away Wednesday at a press conference with Trump is the reason his access has been denied.

“[The White House will] never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable,” Sanders said. “As a result of today’s incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice.”
Story continues below advertisement

The incident in question happened during a tense exchange between Acosta and Trump.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Acosta was repeatedly trying to ask Trump about his referral to a migrant caravan headed to the U.S. from Central America as an “invasion.”

During the question, Trump interrupted and said, “Here we go again.”

As the exchange heated up, Trump said, “I think you should let me run the country, and you run CNN. And if you did it well, your ratings would be much better.”

Acosta tried to ask another question but Trump repeatedly said “that’s enough.”

That’s when the staffer attempted to take Acosta’s microphone away, and Acosta said “pardon me, ma’am,” while he continued to try to ask his question.

That’s when Trump said, “CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person, you shouldn’t be working for CNN.”

Trump said the way Acosta treats Sanders is “horrible.”

Story continues below advertisement

Acosta later wrote on Twitter that Sanders explanation for why his access has been revoked is “a lie.”

Commenting on his revoked pass on CNN, Acosta said he does think the U.S. government is “trying to shut us down.”

“I never though in this country I wouldn’t be able to cover [the U.S.] just because I was trying to ask a question,” he said.
Story continues below advertisement

CNN issued a statement in response to Acosta’s access being denied, saying that Sanders “lied.”

“[Sanders] provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened,” the statement read. “This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better.”

— With files from Rebecca Joseph and Katie Dangerfield

Sponsored content

AdChoices