We covered earlier today how CNN’s Jim Acosta refused to hand over a White House microphone when asked to do so, instead insisting on continuing to shout questions after already having asked a question and engaged in a back and forth with Trump.
Trump tried to call on other reporters, and directed a female staffer to get the microphone from Acosta and give it to the next questioner. But Acosts physically prevented the female staffer from getting the microphone out of his hands.
Here is the video of the exchange when Acosta uses his hand to try to block the female staffers arm (see featured image for circled screengrab):
Sarah Sanders tweeted the following statement:
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…This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporter’s colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history.Contrary to CNN’s assertions there is no greater demonstration of the President’s support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters……over the course of 1.5 hours including several from the reporter in question. The fact that CNN is proud of the way their employee behaved is not only disgusting, it‘s an example of their outrageous disregard for everyone, including young women, who work in this AdministrationAs a result of today’s incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice.
Acosta, and his supporters, are claiming the Acosta never put his hands on the female staffer:
But the video and screencap show that Acosta used his left arm and hand to block the woman’s arm. This image is a second after the featured image, so you can see that he initially put his hand to block her arm (featured image) and continued that motion to block her:
These close-in video clips show it clearly:
(added) Sarah Sanders tweeted out video tonight:
Acosta posted video showing him being denied access to White House grounds tonight:
Acosta acted as if it were HIS microphone. But it was the White Houses microphone.
Acosta makes everything about him. He set out to create a scene today. And he succeeded.
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