Trump blows off CNN’s Acosta at UK press conference, calls on a ‘real network’ instead

Jim Acosta insisted his network is a real news outlet after President Trump dismissed his questioning at an international press conference.

The CNN correspondent attempted to ask a question during a press conference with Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday.

“Since you attacked CNN can I ask you a question?” Acosta interjected, referring to a jab made earlier by the president.

But Trump pointed to John Roberts of Fox News.

“Can I ask you a question?” Acosta repeated.

“No, no,” Trump said. “John Roberts got it. CNN’s fake news, I don’t take questions from CNN. CNN is fake news, I don’t take questions from CNN.”

By now, Roberts had the microphone.

“John Roberts of Fox,” Trump said. “Let’s go to a real network.”

“Well, we’re a real network too, Mr. President,” Acosta shot back.

Following the end of the joint press conference, Acosta shouted to Trump as he walked away from the podium, asking if the president would tell Russian President Vladimir Putin to stay out of U.S. elections.

Not exactly riveting journalism there, unless Trump surprised the world and answered ‘no.’

As it turns out, Trump responded with a “yes” as he walked away.

CNN anchor Poppy Harlow asked Acosta about the exchange later on the network.

“Yeah, he does take questions from CNN. He took a question from me in Singapore at the conclusion of his summit with Kim Jong-Un,” Acosta replied.

“But putting that aside, perhaps his own version of fake news there in saying that, I did try to ask a question at the very end of that press conference,” he added.  “I’m not sure if you heard it because the President and Prime Minister were leaving the scene. I asked: ‘Mr. President, will you tell Putin to stay out of U.S. elections,’ and he did turn and say yes…”

*Update: FOX News Channel Chief White House Correspondent John Roberts issued the following statement regarding the awkward exchange:

“In today’s press conference, I paused while my colleague from CNN went back and forth with President Trump over a question. When it became clear that the president wasn’t going to entertain a question from him, I proceeded with my question, as did my fellow colleagues in the press corps. I know Kristen Welker of NBC.  She is honest as the day is long.  For the President to call her dishonest is unfair. I also used to work at CNN. There are some fine journalists who work there and risk their lives to report on stories around the world. To issue a blanket condemnation of the network as ‘fake news’ is also unfair.”

There were the expected criticisms of Trump’s actions as viewers spoke out about the treatment of Acosta. Many called out the other collected reporters for not standing up for the CNN correspondent and scolded Roberts for not giving the microphone to Acosta.

Plenty of others who are tired of Acosta’s childish whining and unprofessional outbursts were more than happy the president treated him no differently than he does at home.

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Frieda Powers

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