CNN’s Jim Acosta may have threatened his position in the White House press pool by yelling questions at the president during a bill signing Tuesday.
As President Donald Trump was leaving the signing, Acosta yelled out a question about Trump’s attack on Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
@POTUS ignores question from @Acosta about this tweet insulting @SenGillibrand this morning. https://t.co/JdBRZl1X1e
— Matt Hoye (@mattyhoyeCNN) December 12, 2017
Acosta, always desperate to be the hero, claimed that White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders warned him beforehand that he may be removed from the press pool if he yelled out any questions.
“Prior to this morment [sic], @pressec issues a warning to me,” Acosta tweeted. “She said if I asked a question of Trump at the bill signing ‘I can’t promise you will be allowed into a pool spray again.'”
“Sorry Sarah…we won’t be intimidated,” Acosta declared.
Prior to this morment, @presssec issued a warning to me. She said if I asked a question of Trump at the bill signing “I can’t promise you will be allowed into a pool spray again.” Sorry Sarah.. we won’t be intimidated. https://t.co/RZgJpXpyEg
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) December 12, 2017
MSNBC’s Hallie Jackson defended Acosta, explaining that while the president doesn’t have to answer questions at pool events, the press is still allowed to ask them.
.@Acosta was at the bill signing as part of the rotating pool that reps all 5 tv networks. And to be clear: this is not how the pool works. @POTUS doesn’t have to answer questions – but we can sure ask them. https://t.co/NmvLNlZn7Z
— Hallie Jackson (@HallieJackson) December 12, 2017
CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller also tweeted about the alleged showdown, giving Acosta props for asking a question despite Sanders’ threats.
Heading for the door, Pres Trump waved off a question about his tweet saying @SenGillibrand “would do anything” for a campaign contribution. @Acosta said he had been told by @PressSec he might never again be allowed in a press pool event if he asked a question – he did anyway. pic.twitter.com/XmG1XjYl1j
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 12, 2017
Sanders and Acosta previously got into a battle at Monday’s White House press briefing, wherein Acosta tried to monopolize the time allotted for the briefing. (RELATED: Sarah Sanders Gets Into It With CNN Over Fake News Question: ‘I’m Not Finished!’)