Sanders ‘Punishes’ CNN Because Reporter Asked Question

Sanders ‘Punishes’ CNN Because Reporter Asked Question

Reprinted with permission from Shareblue.

 

Sarah Huckabee Sanders ramped up the Trump administration’s war on the free press this weekend by declaring that it was “bad behavior” for a reporter to ask questions at a press conference and that the reporter’s employer would be punished as a result.

On Sunday morning’s edition of CNN’s “State of the Union,” host Jake Tapper announced that the White House had canceled National Security Advisor John Bolton’s interview because of what Sanders called “bad behavior” from Jim Acosta, CNN’s chief White House correspondent.

Sanders tweeted Saturday that Acosta had “disrespected” Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May with “bad behavior” during their joint press conference on Friday — by simply asking a question.

Tapper then played a clip of the alleged “bad behavior,” which in reality was nothing more than basic, responsible journalism.

As Tapper noted, Acosta waited nine full minutes after Trump attacked CNN as “dishonest” before reacting by trying to ask a question.

“Mr. President, since you attacked CNN, can I ask you a question?” Acosta said. “If you continue to attack us, we should be able to ask a question.”

“I don’t take questions from CNN, CNN is fake news. I don’t take questions from CNN,” Trump answered. “John Roberts of Fox. Let’s go to a real network.”

“Well, we’re a real network, too, sir,” Acosta replied.

This incident recalls another in which Trump’s campaign manager demanded that Acosta be disciplined for the “offense” of asking questions during a White House event.

Trump has threatened to take away journalists’ credentials for reporting unfavorably on him. Both he and Sanders demanded the firing of journalist Jemele Hill for exercising free speech.

Sanders’ explicit attempt to control the free press by punishing a reporter for asking questions is a chilling violation of democratic freedoms and American values.

Published with permission of The American Independent. 

Start your day with National Memo Newsletter

Know first.

The opinions that matter. Delivered to your inbox every morning

Joe Biden
President Joe Biden

Last week,The Economist's presidential polling average set in motion a reevaluation of the general election when President Joe Biden pulled ahead of Donald Trump for the first time since September 2023.

Keep reading...Show less
Alex Jones

Alex Jones

At a press conference on Tuesday, March 26, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told reporters that there was no sign of terrorism or foul play in the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge — which had been struck by a freighter. According to Moore and the Biden White House, there was no indication that it was anything other than a tragic accident.

Keep reading...Show less
{{ post.roar_specific_data.api_data.analytics }}