UPDATE
Acosta's colleagues at CNN and other liberal outlets quickly came to Acosta's defense.
The @WHCA, which advocates for White House reporters, is drafting a statement re: tonight's suspension of @Acosta's hard pass. Note: The government, not the association, handles hard passes.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 8, 2018
The talking points vary. It's either that he's a great reporter or that he didn't actually put his hands on the White House Intern who tried taking away his microphone.
I was seated next to ?@Acosta? at today’s press conference and did not witness him “placing his hands” on the young intern, as the White House alleges. He held on to the microphone as she reached for it. The ?@Reuters? pictures below depict what happened accurately. pic.twitter.com/nO68Hf4eQM
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) November 8, 2018
This is insane. If anything, the intern grabbed @Acosta.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 8, 2018
Video: https://t.co/LrFoa51fbA#gaslighting https://t.co/sCOsFURtm0
There is video that shows that Acosta didn't 'place his hands on a young woman.'
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) November 8, 2018
Seriously, this is a flat out lie that is on video for all to see, but the White House is once again counting on everyone just blindly believing what Trump says. https://t.co/ahjjVhSBHA
A White House staff member reaches for the microphone held by CNN's Jim Acosta as he questions U.S. President Donald Trump during a news conference following Tuesday's midterm U.S. congressional elections, in a combination of photos at the White House. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst pic.twitter.com/JrY6wl7ejm
— Jim Bourg (@jimbourg) November 8, 2018
False predicate to punish a reporter. This is what the president wants. If he really thought @acosta was unfair, then why did he call on him? Because he wants the confrontation. https://t.co/Q78Nd88gPk
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) November 8, 2018
Watching the video below, it does not appear that @Acosta was “placing his hands” on this female intern, as the White House claims https://t.co/QkSasv3qdl
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) November 8, 2018
As far as I saw, he just held on to the mic as the intern came in fast and furious. Acosta too often "becomes the story" in my view, but revoking credentials in an episode like this is bad precedent. #acosta #journalism https://t.co/4P2PIm5Zal
— Tony Ganzer (@tony_ganzer) November 8, 2018
UPDATE
Acosta provided video of Secret Service taking his hard press pass.
The US Secret Service just asked for my credential to enter the WH. As I told the officer, I don’t blame him. I know he’s just doing his job. (Sorry this video is not rightside up) pic.twitter.com/juQeuj3B9R
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
And, of course, he disagreed with Sarah Huckabee Sanders' statement.
This is a lie. https://t.co/FastFfWych
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
UPDATE
Here's Sarah Huckabee Sanders' thread on why the White House made the decision to pull Acosta's hard press pass:
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...
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
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.
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
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...
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
...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 Administration
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
As a result of today’s incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice.
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018
ORIGINAL POST
After sparring with President Donald Trump earlier this afternoon, CNN's White House Correspondent, Jim Acosta, has been denied access to the White House.
I’ve just been denied entrance to the WH. Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018
According to reports, Sarah Huckabee Sanders said they revoked Acosta's hard press pass, meaning Acosta must be escorted on property.
“As a result of today’s incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice,” Sarah Huckabee Sanders says.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) November 8, 2018
This will deny unescorted entry to the WH grounds for @Acosta. https://t.co/38B0E92YuB
White House @PressSec says it is suspending @Acosta WH credentials (called a “hard pass”) after today’s press conference.
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) November 8, 2018
The White House has suspended @Acosta’s hard pass which means he needs permission/an escort every time he goes to the WH. https://t.co/BEwRwK13ZX
— Yashar Ali ?? (@yashar) November 8, 2018
Some called for other reporters to stand in "solidarity" with Acosta.
Then neither should ANY other White House reporter out of solidarity.
— Jarrett Bellini (@JarrettBellini) November 8, 2018
Why is the rest of the press not walking out in solidarity? Do they have no spine?
— William LeGate (@williamlegate) November 8, 2018
You failed when you became the story, regularly, instead of reporting it. https://t.co/mnXNcKYq2K
— Alex Plitsas (@alexplitsas) November 8, 2018
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