CNN's Jim Acosta was not satisfied with President Trump's response to this weekend's carnage in Charlottesville, VA. The president was criticized for not clearly denouncing the white supremacist, neo-Nazi groups responsible for much of the violence. The racist protesters were demonstrating against the city's decision to dismantle a confederate statue. Counter protesters showed up too, and before long three people were dead - one 32-year-old woman and two police officers.
On Monday, Trump cleared the air by offering the following statement, making sure to name names.
Trump: Racism is evil and those who cause violence in its name are thugs. Including the KKK, nao-nazis, and white supremacists
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) August 14, 2017
Trump spoke before the press again Monday afternoon to address China's intellectual property laws. As he was leaving, Acosta shouted a question at Trump about Charlottesville, wondering when he was going to hold a press conference on the tragedy. Trump reminded Acosta he just did hold a press conference, but the reporter noted he and his fellow journalists would appreciate the opportunity to ask a few more questions.
That's when the president renewed his favorite insult.
Trump tells CNN's Jim Acosta: "I like real news, you are fake news" over questions about Charlottesville reaction pic.twitter.com/0feoElc6lg
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 14, 2017
Other outlets accused Trump of issuing this stronger statement against the hate groups that marched through Charlottesville only after being pressured by the media.
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Trump's comments were "grudging" and "bare minimum," and Trump gave "no indication he was feeling the words he was reading," CNBC's John Harwood wrote on Twitter.
Update: Jim Acosta says two can play at that game.
Yes and I responded: "haven't you spread a lot of fake news yourself, sir?" https://t.co/Cz1Aks3cIj
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 14, 2017
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