CNN Has Played Right Into Trump’s Hands

rollingstone.com ^ | 11-13-18 | Ryan Bort

[NoLibZone]

In what has become one of the dumbest stories of the year, CNN sued President Trump Tuesday.

The litigation alleges the White House did not have grounds to revoke the press credential of reporter Jim Acosta, whom Trump berated during a post-election press conference last Wednesday.

“CNN filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration this morning in DC District Court,” read a statement from the network. “It demands the return of the White House credentials of CNN’s Chief White House correspondent, Jim Acosta. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acosta’s First Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their Fifth Amendment rights to due process. We have asked this court for an immediate restraining order requiring the pass be returned to Jim, and will seek permanent relief as part of this process.”

Not only was the White House unfazed by the lawsuit, they welcomed it.

According to the complaint, CNN made several attempts to reach a resolution with the Trump administration, threatening to sue if Acosta’s credential was not returned.

These threats were ignored, because as far as the White House is concerned, the longer Trump’s feud with Acosta stays in the news, the better. As the Daily Beast points out, several administration officials “have said that they privately celebrate whenever a Trump vs. Acosta narrative emerges in the national press,” as if there’s one front on which the president has consistently won since taking office, it’s his war on the media.

This latest tiff with Acosta is just another skirmish to fall in the president’s favor, even if — or maybe especially if — Acosta is able to return to the White House.

[Maelstorm]

There is an unspoken rule in these kind of things that you don’t start a fight that you can not win. CNN just looks dumb. There is no way they win this suit. Even far left judges won’t support this and if they do it will not make it far on appeal.

[ThunderSleeps]

The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acosta’s First Amendment rights of freedom of the press...

That sounds awfully close to claiming that anyone from "the press" ought to have the right (?) to White House credentials.

I'm sure CNN realizes there's only just so much room for representatives of various news organizations. Not everyone can get in. A reporter from our local college newspaper for example, although a dedicated journalist, probably can't get credentials. Seems to me White House credentials for White House provided press briefings in the White House ought to be controlled by, well, the White House. I don't think any news organization can claim a right or entitlement to such credentials. I would be particularly skeptical of such a claim by a "news organization" that had shown such obvious bias that mostly what they put out is well-spun propaganda message and agenda, not news.

I think CNN is going to have to show some inherent right to claim a set of credentials over and above all other news organizations that don't currently have representatives there. Basically an impossible task. They (CNN) are no better, and if falling ratings are any indication probably significantly worse, than any other news organization.

[lee martell]

If you’re a Lib and even The Rolling Stone says you’re doing it wrong, you got problems.
Go for it CNN. It’s great Keystone Cop style of entertainment.

[GSWarrior]

This story is filled with BS.

[JennysCool]

I’m sure they wouldn’t say it publicly, but word has long been that Acosta’s colleagues in the White House Press Corps think he’s a grandstanding drama queen.

[Wpin]

The article itself is an amazing piece of deceipt, propaganda...wow!

[Robert357]

So an unruly child has a first amendment right to disrupt a school classroom and prevent others from learning. An unruly citizen has a right to disrupt a city council meeting or event critical council discussion?

If CNN should prevail the consequences are huge.

[BunnySlippers]

Acosta is a transparent little poseur!

[Slyfox]

[fungoking]

“So an unruly child has a first amendment right to disrupt a school classroom and prevent others from learning.”

I taught high school for 30 years and by the time i retired your statement was closer to truth than most folks would imagine.

[Dr. Pritchett]

I think I saw a story today wherein CNN said that “Trump doesn’t think he is a racist, but that CNN and White Supremacists agree that he is.” Strange bedfellows.

[Pikachu_Dad]

Wrong analogy. Use the judges power to hold a scofflaw in contempt.

Better yet, what3ver judge is selected, pull up their courtroom decorum enforcement.

[gunsequalfreedom]

That sounds awfully close to claiming that anyone from "the press" ought to have the right (?) to White House credentials.

The only solution, then, would be a lottery.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

The First Amendment, by inference, establishes the right of an individual to disseminate information that he has; it does not in any way grant him unfettered access to information. As to his "due process" right being violated, that's just risible. You might as well say that being kicked out of a mini-mart for not wearing shoes is a violation of due process.

To liberals, the Constitution is nothing more than a means to getting what they want.

[bagster]

[ImpBill]

If I live long enough for books to be written after Mr. Trump’s retired from politics I wouldn’t be surprised at all to read “The Donald” went into the conference room knowing this was going to take place. He is the master at playing fools.

[PatrioticRose]

Press credentials are a privilege and not a right.

[Falconspeed]

According to OAN news show, rude journalists are obstacles to polite journalists. Thus, if a journalist becomes rude, then cancel the press conference immediately. Repeat daily until the rudeness stops.

[TexasGator]

Cnn gets in. Just not the dh