Jim Acosta insisted his network is a real news outlet after President Trump dismissed his questioning at an international press conference.
The CNN correspondent attempted to ask a question during a press conference with Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday.
“Since you attacked CNN can I ask you a question?” Acosta interjected, referring to a jab made earlier by the president.
But Trump pointed to John Roberts of Fox News.
“Can I ask you a question?” Acosta repeated.
“No, no,” Trump said. “John Roberts got it. CNN’s fake news, I don’t take questions from CNN. CNN is fake news, I don’t take questions from CNN.”
By now, Roberts had the microphone.
“John Roberts of Fox,” Trump said. “Let’s go to a real network.”
“Well, we’re a real network too, Mr. President,” Acosta shot back.
Following the end of the joint press conference, Acosta shouted to Trump as he walked away from the podium, asking if the president would tell Russian President Vladimir Putin to stay out of U.S. elections.
In case people couldn’t hear as POTUS was walking away, @Acosta shouted a Q — whether he would tell Putin to stay out of U.S. elections. Trump responded “yes.”
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) July 13, 2018
Not exactly riveting journalism there, unless Trump surprised the world and answered ‘no.’
As it turns out, Trump responded with a “yes” as he walked away.
CNN anchor Poppy Harlow asked Acosta about the exchange later on the network.
“Yeah, he does take questions from CNN. He took a question from me in Singapore at the conclusion of his summit with Kim Jong-Un,” Acosta replied.
“But putting that aside, perhaps his own version of fake news there in saying that, I did try to ask a question at the very end of that press conference,” he added. “I’m not sure if you heard it because the President and Prime Minister were leaving the scene. I asked: ‘Mr. President, will you tell Putin to stay out of U.S. elections,’ and he did turn and say yes…”
*Update: FOX News Channel Chief White House Correspondent John Roberts issued the following statement regarding the awkward exchange:
“In today’s press conference, I paused while my colleague from CNN went back and forth with President Trump over a question. When it became clear that the president wasn’t going to entertain a question from him, I proceeded with my question, as did my fellow colleagues in the press corps. I know Kristen Welker of NBC. She is honest as the day is long. For the President to call her dishonest is unfair. I also used to work at CNN. There are some fine journalists who work there and risk their lives to report on stories around the world. To issue a blanket condemnation of the network as ‘fake news’ is also unfair.”
There were the expected criticisms of Trump’s actions as viewers spoke out about the treatment of Acosta. Many called out the other collected reporters for not standing up for the CNN correspondent and scolded Roberts for not giving the microphone to Acosta.
Disgraceful performance by Trump, slamming CNN as “fake news” on foreign soil. Theresa May should take a question from Jim Acosta.
— Simon Marks (@SimonMarksFSN) July 13, 2018
That was utterly disgraceful, and if @johnrobertsFox had an ounce of integrity, he would not have let Trump get away it. Roberts should have stood up for @Acosta & let him ask his question.
— Elizabeth Squires (@esquires1215) July 13, 2018
How much longer before Trump refuses to take questions from anybody but Fox reporters? Why couldn’t John Roberts have shown some solidarity and handed Jim Acosta the mike?
— Hank (@hammerinhankhar) July 13, 2018
John Roberts from FOX News has zero backbone – he should have given the mike to Jim Acosta from CNN after Trump once again insulted CNN.
— Katrin Eismann (@KatrinEismann) July 13, 2018
Here you go. First presser, post election, Trump refuses to let @Acosta ask a question, calls him “fake news.”
NOT ONE REPORTER stood up, then and there, for their fellow journalist.
It is no shock that Trump kept doing it, and did it again, today. https://t.co/pvVe6EMogr
— Eric Schmeltzer (@JustSchmeltzer) July 13, 2018
If it had been you up there, Roberts would have defended you. Guaranteed.
Also, you can blame @BrianStelter and @oliverdarcy for Fox News people not being quick to defend CNN these days. Their coverage is 99% anti-Fox. https://t.co/GPnq92TnRA
— RBe (@RBPundit) July 13, 2018
Plenty of others who are tired of Acosta’s childish whining and unprofessional outbursts were more than happy the president treated him no differently than he does at home.
I tried to ask @realDonaldTrump a question, and he called @CNN “#FakeNews” again. This time, to my face. In front of everybody. Then he called on John Roberts instead.
Nobody stood up for me.
Sigh. pic.twitter.com/v0tfiOJzW2
— Rick Canton™ ℹ (@TheRickCanton) July 13, 2018
Regardless on whether he should or shouldn’t call on CNN, it’s wrong for Accosta to just jump out and call on himself like he does in press briefings. Makes him and all journalists look like a child.
— Concerned Conservative (@JJ_Mitch2) July 13, 2018
Hahaha! President Trump’s fights with CNN’s Jim Acosta at press briefings are always hilarious!!!
— Ebuka Obi-Uchendu (@Ebuka) July 13, 2018
Trump slams Jim Acosta. Tells him he does not take questions from Fake News CNN. Was a special moment.
— R J Nelson (@RJNelson13) July 13, 2018
Jim Acosta just got bitch slapped by POTUS on international tv! ???
— Joe The Butcher?? (@joe_the_butcher) July 13, 2018
I love POTUS! He put Fake News in its place like a BOSS???
— SUPER CUTE ELITIST? (@M_COVFEFE) July 13, 2018
CNN’s Jim Acosta just got bitch slapped by President Trump.
Trump refused to answer any questions from CNN!
That my friends is a MAN’S MAN!
— Dr. Frank Corleone? (@Da_Godfather907) July 13, 2018
When is @CNN going to realize that @Acosta has completely ruined their credibility in the @POTUSPressPool?
— Sabes84 (sounds like babes) (@sabes84) July 13, 2018
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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