Stars React to Donald Trump's Treatment of CNN's Jim Acosta Following Heated Press Conference
Political debate clearly isn't going anywhere after Tuesday's midterm elections.
During a press conference on Wednesday, President Donald Trump called CNN's Jim Acosta a "rude, terrible person" after the reporter tried to ask several questions, but was cut off or dismissed by the commander in chief.
The president further went off on Acosta as he tried to ask another question off-mic, saying, "When you report fake news, which CNN does a lot, you are the enemy of the people."
BREAKING: President Trump, CNN Correspondent Jim Acosta and @NBCNews Correspondent @PeterAlexander engage in tense exchanges in post-election news conference. pic.twitter.com/WUlXemGn7y
— NBC News (@NBCNews) November 7, 2018
Hours after the verbal sparring, Acosta took to Twitter to reveal that his White House access had been revoked.
"I’ve just been denied entrance to the WH. Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit," the veteran news reporter wrote.
Soon after, he shared a video of a Secret Service agent confiscating his White House press credentials. "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," Acosta wrote."
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
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
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement, attempting to justify the decision.
"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," Sanders' statement read, in part, referring to an intern who attempted to remove Acosta's mic from his hand during his argument with Trump, to which the reporter respectfully resisted.
Acosta shared a terse rebuttal to Sanders' claim, tweeting, "This is a lie."
This is a lie. https://t.co/FastFfWych
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
Trump's actions during the tense press conference did not sit well with Twitter or Hollywood, who had some thoughts about the president's harsh words.
"The president is a f--king embarrassment," John Legend wrote on Twitter.
Sarah Silverman, host of I Love You, America, also went off. "Why doesn’t CNN and all journalists who check and verify everything they report sue trump for slander? He lies about them on the daily and is never held accountable," she wrote.
Why doesn’t CNN and all journalists who check and verify everything they report sue trump for slander? He lies about them on the daily and is never held accountable https://t.co/0CnumCTByw
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) November 7, 2018
Meghan McCain was also distraught at the discourse on display, posting, "I got 4 hours of sleep last night and can't emotionally deal with Trump's presser right now."
I got 4 hours of sleep last night and can't emotionally deal with Trump's presser right now. pic.twitter.com/Eg6hkUiPGb
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) November 7, 2018
McCain's fellow View co-host, Sunny Hostin, came to Acosta's defense.
"I worked with Jim @Acosta at CNN. He is a consummate professional and journalist. Shameful how he was treated today by the person sworn to protect the 1st Amendment," she wrote.
I worked with Jim @Acosta at CNN. He is a consummate professional and journalist. Shameful how he was treated today by the person sworn to protect the 1st Amendment.
— Sunny Hostin (@sunny) November 7, 2018
Meanwhile, other politically active stars vowed to keep working post-election. "As long as @realdonaldtrump is our President, I’m not taking a day off. Too much to do," wrote Alyssa Milano, who has campaigned for Democratic candidates and famously attended the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
I lied. As long as @realdonaldtrump is our President, I’m not taking a day off. Too much to do. pic.twitter.com/oqHeYrlU0b
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 7, 2018
See what else Hollywood and other journalists had to say about the moment below.
now some more of the same please https://t.co/5uuZdZmaga
— ROSIE (@Rosie) November 7, 2018
The president of the free world right here. This is our country’s representative. What an utter incompetent, lying, bitter little child. https://t.co/mVTXdeSNcg
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) November 7, 2018
Can we not make today into another Trump v. Media fight? This is exactly what he wants.
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) November 7, 2018
unreal. awful
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) November 7, 2018
Thank you April! https://t.co/FOKg0zqPtK
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) November 7, 2018
Trump has called @Acosta an "enemy of the people." Told @AprilDRyan to sit down. Scolded @PeterAlexander. And said @Yamiche asked a "racist question." And we're still going...
— Jason Schwartz (@JasonSchwartz) November 7, 2018
I worked with Jim @Acosta during my years @CNN. He’s dogged and determined and a credit to his profession. His job is to hold power to account, not to be “nice” to the President or anyone else he covers.
— Ali Velshi (@AliVelshi) November 7, 2018
CNN responded to the incident in a statement on Twitter, writing, "This President's ongoing attacks on the press have gone too far. They are not only dangerous, they are disturbingly un-American."
CNN’s response to @realDonaldTrump’s press conference today: pic.twitter.com/tJ3nZDnYwO
— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) November 7, 2018
For more on how stars have been politically active, watch the clip below!
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