Tipsheet

So, Did CNN's Jim Acosta Get Banned From Future Press Pool Events?

Matt Vespa
Matt Vespa  |  December 12, 2017 6:30 PM

Well, it’s done. The $700 billion National Defense Authorization Act bill was signed into law Tuesday with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford, Vice President Mike Pence, and Secretary of Defense James Mattis in attendance. The bill is the largest pay increase for military members in eight years (via Washington Examiner):

"This historic legislation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to our men and women in uniform – the greatest fighting force in the history of the world," Trump said at the signing ceremony. "This legislation represents a momentous step in rebuilding our military and securing our future for our children."

While the act sets official policy, actual funding comes from appropriations, which Congress is still wrestling with as it faces a Dec. 22 deadline to come up with a budget deal that raises spending caps. The cap for baseline defense funding is $549 billion, well short of the $635 level set by the authorization act. The remaining $65 billion would be spent on overseas contingency operations, which is not subject to the caps.

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"Now Congress must finish the job by eliminating the defense sequester and passing a clean appropriations bill," he said. "I think it's gonna happen. We need our military, it's gotta be perfecto."

It was supposed to be a simple event, but CNN’s Jim Acosta decided to ask the president about what he meant about Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) doing "anything" for campaign contributions. 

"Mr. President, what did you mean when you said that Kirsten Gillibrand would do anything for a campaign contribution?" he asked.

Some Democrats took issue with this, but totally missed the mark, accusing Trump of slut-shaming Gillibrand. Yeah, you can thank Sen. Elizabeth Warren for that misfire; she just called her Senate colleague a slut. Of course, that’s not what she meant, but it’s good to know what words mean in this instance. Acosta said that he could be banned from future White House photo ops if he tried to ask a question today, but defied the orders of Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, saying he would not be intimidated. Grow up, bro. This isn’t a profile in courage. Then again, this is par for the course for him. So, is Acosta on the banned list? Well, we’ll find out at the next White House press pool event, which could be the signing of the tax reform package. Our friends at Twitchy caught the drama.

Also, some context about that "do anything" part in Trump's tweet. He's used that line against everyone: