Acosta's Days Are Numbered as Trump Makes Strong Push to Permanently Ban Him from WH
CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta has earned quite the reputation as a notoriously disruptive reporter during the Trump presidency, and if things continue as they have, he might find himself stripped of his press credentials.
In countless press events, Acosta’s rude outbursts and shouting have pushed President Trump closer and closer to his breaking point.
According to the Washington Post, the president has hoped to discipline disruptive reporters for quite some time, but White House officials have talked him down.
But after CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins was banned from attending press event on Friday, it seems change may be in the air.
At the conclusion of a photo op with European Union commissioner Jean-Claude Juncker, Collins reportedly shouted a series of questions at Trump and continued to do so despite being asked to leave multiple times.
“Did Michael Cohen betray you, Mr. President?” she shouted twice according to CNN, before moving on to other questions.”Mr. President, are you worried about what Michael Cohen is about to say to the prosecutors? Are you worried about what is on the other tapes, Mr. President?”
“Why is Vladimir Putin not accepting your invitation, Mr. President?” she added when he didn’t answer.
The president did not answer Collins’ questions and thanked the press for coming.
Afterwards, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders and deputy chief of staff for communications Bill Shine let Collins know that due to her behavior, she was not invited to the afternoon press event in the Rose Garden.
Collins was told she asked questions that were “inappropriate,” both at the event she’d chosen to ask them, and because she’d rudely shouted them out.
White House officials were clear that it was only Collins who was not invited to the event, and that another journalist from CNN could attend, but many, including Jim Acosta, felt the move was “not indicative of a free and open press.”
A new low for the White House. My colleague @kaitlancollins deserves better than this. All journalists covering the WH deserve better than this. As do the American people. https://t.co/gf57HGUsC0
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) July 25, 2018
Regardless of Jim Acosta’s opinion on the matter, the White House stood behind their decision, with Sanders adding that they “support a free press” but expect “everyone be respectful of the presidency and guests at the White House.”
While Acosta seems to demand that journalists covering the White House, himself included, be treated with dignity and respect, he clearly has forgotten the lack of both dignity and respect he fails to show the sitting president on a consistent basis.
Perhaps if he attempted to maintain a certain level of professionalism while on the job, Acosta might earn himself a bit more respect in return.
But for now, Acosta’s childish actions have pushed President Trump to set his sights set on banning him from press events, perhaps permanently. And if Collins being banned is any indication, Trump may just get his way after all.
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