'What an embarrassment': The internet reacts to Trump's wild press conference where an aide tried to snatch the mic from CNN's Jim Acosta
If the press conference Donald Trump held Wednesday to discuss the midterm elections results is any indication, it’s clear that the president isn’t changing his tune when it comes to his relationship with certain media outlets.
Trump’s ire was directed at multiple people during the freewheeling event, but CNN’s Jim Acosta pushed his buttons the most with his line of questioning. At first, Acosta pressed Trump about whether the Central American migrant caravan heading toward the U.S.-Mexico border constituted an “invasion” when they are still hundreds of miles away. He then pivoted to ask about the investigation into the Russian election interference. Not only did Trump call the reporter from his least favorite news organization “a rude, terrible person” and an “enemy of the people,” a White House aide helping with the presser also attempted to physically remove the mic from the reporter’s hand.
FULL EXCHANGE: Trump vs. @Acosta
"Put down the mic…"
"You are a rude, terrible person…" pic.twitter.com/hdnNGd2xLc— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) November 7, 2018
The attempted mic grab:
That mic grab moment was something else pic.twitter.com/1rbzQ4WVmr
— Dave Brown (@dave_brown24) November 7, 2018
We doubt the woman knew “mic snatching from journalists” would be in her job description at the White House — and the internet agrees. People were shocked by the bizarre display.
Holy crap. White House aide literally in wrestling match with @acosta over mic. pic.twitter.com/tSNWuxN44H
— MidTermmy Christopher (@tommyxtopher) November 7, 2018
I saw the bit where he yelled at @Acosta and an aide tried to rip the mic from him. What an embarrassment.
— Rob D. (@daltonator) November 7, 2018
Trump went berserk on Jim Acosta, asking an aide to wrestle the mic from him, and was in total meltdown mode during a whole press conference.
I'm surprised he didn't jump into the crowd and challenge all reporters to a Battle Royale. pic.twitter.com/YYLlFbbCe5
— NicoXW (@Nicoxw1) November 7, 2018
Jesus. That aide was going to fight Acosta for the mic!
— Joan Young (@HandleFlier) November 7, 2018
It was pure fruitcake batshit insane! An aide legit tried to forcefully grap a mic away from Jim Acosta. He yelled at Peter Alexander, April Ryan & others. pic.twitter.com/ZkPfY1lM9j
— Nurit (@nuritgreenfinch) November 7, 2018
WH aide trying to take mic from CNN's Jim @acosta. pic.twitter.com/uo3nfD3ItQ
— m11y (@meleveny) November 7, 2018
That woman trying to grab the mic has a very horrible job
— AprilW (@aprilwarchol) November 7, 2018
The aide trying to take the mic and Acosta… "I don't think so" priceless! @Acosta good job!!!!!
— A. W. (@FultertonAW) November 7, 2018
If SNL doesn't have someone playing a press aide trying to take a mic away from Jim Acosta & him running all around the studio to get away, I'll be disappointed
— Matthew Smith (@kyleo71) November 7, 2018
That aide tried taking the mic and Jim Acosta was like.. pic.twitter.com/8dRI8q8DZc
— jewel_xoxo (@thelaststop1983) November 7, 2018
I'm also wonder about CNN's response to that comms aide grabbing at Acosta trying to get his mic. Seems touching one of the reporters would be absolutely out of bounds.
— debbie speer (@parkbench559) November 7, 2018
Thank you Jim @Acosta for standing up and speaking out. We need you with all your "horribleness" to tell us the TRUTH.
(Who was the grabby little aide trying to pull the mic out of your hands? She's a peach.) https://t.co/fHvaPWwTT7— Myandra is Mesmeric 🌊 a good witch #VOTEBLUE! (@naughtywriter2) November 7, 2018
Wow, the way the aide looks at Trump in a panic after she unsuccessfully attempts to wrest the mic away from @Acosta. What am I supposed to do, Daddy?
— Dana Stevens (@thehighsign) November 7, 2018
RUDE press aide. You don't EVER jerk the mic out of someone's hands, especially someone like Jim Acosta. This entire administration is couthless, classless, and RUDE.
— ?? Sassy Mouth ?? (@SassyMouth2012) November 7, 2018
Though a smaller group of people were pointing fingers at Acosta.
Incredible to see people take on a defensive posture to justify Acosta literally wrestling away the mic from a female WH aide today in light of this https://t.co/h1IxWDYjGy
— James Hitchcock (@JamesHitchcock) November 7, 2018
BREAKING: Acosta physically resists female White House aide trying to do her job after refusing to pass the mic off to the next reporter. https://t.co/MUVI5iJ5yV
— Natalie Johnson (@nataliejohnsonn) November 7, 2018
But when you watch the moment, Acosta clearly looks defensive and didn’t push anyone.
Aide attempts to seize the mic from Jim Acosta pic.twitter.com/w8UcXZuGUU
— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) November 7, 2018
WHAT? Aide tried to snatch mic; Acosta kept it and blocked her attempt. That's defense, not offense.
— Water From Air (@MoistureVapor8r) November 7, 2018
Jim Acosta didn’t assault the WH aide, she tried to take his mic and he brushed her off. You telling me ya’ll wanna jump on the #MeToo train when it’s convenient?
— Hugo (@megabytical) November 7, 2018
As we have learned in the last couple of years, Trump, who used the media to turn himself into a celebrity, claims he doesn’t like the “fake news” now that he’s president. After the spat with Acosta (during which Trump also said Acosta’s treatment of White House press secretary “Sarah Huckabee is horrible”), the president also snapped at NBC’s Peter Alexander who said Trump was being unfair. “Well, I’m not a big fan of yours either,” Trump said to Alexander. “You aren’t the best.”
The president was also dismissive toward to American Urban Radio Networks correspondent April Ryan, who was shut down for trying to ask a question, and Yamiche Alcindor from PBS NewsHour, who Trump accused of asking him racist questions.
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