Posted on 08/03/2018 8:40:14 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders shut down CNN's Jim Acosta on Thursday, spurring him to leave the briefing room in a snit.
National Security Advisor John Bolton, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Commander of the United States Cyber Command Paul Nakasone, and FBI Director Christopher Wray joined Sanders to outline the administration's strategy to combat U.S. election interference.
Toward the end of the briefing, Acosta pressed Sanders on President Trump's habit of calling the American media "enemies of the people."
"I think it would be a good thing if you were to to say right here at this briefing that the press -- the people who are gathered in this room right now doing their jobs every day, asking questions of the officials like the ones you brought forward earlier -- are not the enemy of the people. I think we deserve that," he said.
"I think the president has made his position known," Sanders began, unable to say much more before Acosta interrupted her.
"I have politely waited and I even called on you despite the fact you interrupted me while calling on your colleague," Sanders said, while Acosta interrupted her some more.
Sanders then delivered an impassioned lecture on why the president (and his supporters) might consider the press to be "enemies of the people."
"It's ironic, Jim, that not only you and the media attack the president for his rhetoric when they frequently lower the level of conversation in this country. Repeatedly -- repeatedly the media resorts to personal attacks without any content other than to incite anger. The media has attacked me personally on a number of occasions, including your own network -- said I should be harassed as a life sentence, that I should be choked. ICE officials are not welcome in their place of worship and personal information is shared on the internet.
When I was hosted by the Correspondents' Association -- of which almost all of you are members of -- you brought up a comedian up to attack my appearance and call me a traitor to my own gender.
In fact, as far as I know, I am the first press secretary in the history of the United States that's required Secret Service protection. The media continues to ratchet up the verbal assault against the president and everyone in this administration and certainly we have a role to play, but the media has a role to play for the discourse in this country, as well.
Acosta was not impressed by Sanders' words.
"You did not say, in the course of those remarks that you just made, that the press is not the enemy of the people," he pointed out.
Even though Sanders had brought up the unfortunate fact that she needed Secret Service protection -- a historic first for press secretaries -- because of the media's constant "verbal assaults" against the administration, Acosta remained unmoved.
"We all get put through the meat-grinder in this town and you're no exception," he said.
"For the sake of this room -- the people who are in this room, this democracy, this country. All the people around the world are watching what you're saying, Sarah. And the White House for the United States of America -- the president of the United States -- should not refer to us as the enemy of the people. His own daughter acknowledges that and all I'm asking you to do, Sarah, is to acknowledge that right now and right here," he insisted.
"I appreciate your passion," Sanders said dryly. "I share it. I've addressed this question, I've addressed my personal feelings. I'm here to speak on behalf of the president. He's made his comments clear," she said.
CNN's Jim Acosta asks Sarah Sanders about Trump's comments that the media is the "enemy of the people": "You did not say ... that the press is not the enemy of people" pic.twitter.com/H3TJCFwiON — Axios (@axios) August 2, 2018
Acosta on Twitter called Sanders' refusal to say what he demanded "shameful" and said that he walked out of the briefing room in protest.
I walked out of the end of that briefing because I am totally saddened by what just happened. Sarah Sanders was repeatedly given a chance to say the press is not the enemy and she wouldn't do it. Shameful. — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 2, 2018
“Acosta just got beat up by a girl and now he’s whining like one!”
From all of the “girl” FReepers,thanks for the compliment./s
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Acosta’s quest to get Sanders to repeat the slogan about “the press not being the enemy of the people” is a re-hash of LBJ’s pig strategy.
That is because the left wing media IS the enemy of Americans. They have been for years, and as the undeniable truth finally looms, they scream louder. The left is in full frothing desperation.
That means other reporters will actually have a chance to ask questions instead of listening to his constant bitching.
As I’ve said many times, Acosta is NOT upset about any of this.
He is loving it.
He was a nobody, and while now he is still a nobody, he’s got everyone talking about him.
He’s basking in it, and loves being the center of attention right now.
They should not give him the time of day, let alone answer a single one of his questions.
If he was the only reporter in the room, Sarah should say, “Well, I see there’s no questions, so I’m going back to my office now. Thanks!” and then leave.
Poor Jimmy.
Way to stand your ground Sara - MAFA!
And get CNN out of airports, doctors offices and gobmint buildings.
Jim Acosta ... the narcissist counter to Obama.
Sanders can destroy and humiliate him with out breaking a sweat. He does more damage to himself and eratz network than a ban could ever do.
RE: I say let him stay.
I agree. we all need comedic relief.
Acosta can’t prove the media isn’t the enemy of the people exit stage left.
Could that then be taken to imply that you won't be coming back anymore Jimbo since you feel so strongly about what Sanders did not say for your personal biased self interest?
Hit the road Jim, don’t come back.
True, but then we would be denied the pleasure of watching her light his sorry a$$ up every day....
95% of so called Journalists are self identified Democrats, Liberals, Progressives and / or Socialists.
Of the remaining 5%, four out of five are Liars.
Act like a unruly child, get treated like one.
What an ego that guy has. He really sees himself as a messiah who is saving “our democracy.”
He ought’a be kicked out...literally.
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