CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta appeared to be upset after the White House announced its new policy to test every reporter who plans to attend the coronavirus briefings.
The White House announced the policy change on Thursday, days after a White House reporter began showing symptoms of the virus. As a result, the White House, which previously only conducted temperature checks, requested reporters who plan on attending the briefings show up 90 minutes early to get a test.
Acosta, after getting tested but before the briefing, said some felt uncomfortable about how easily they’re now able to get tested, while many others in the country have been unable to do so themselves.
“We should point out the White House is having all of the reporters covering this briefing today undergo a coronavirus test. I just had mine a short while ago. They gave me this fact sheet before giving me the test. We have not gotten the results back. And so, the briefing for this reason, I believe, has been pushed to 6 o’clock,” he explained.
The White House reporter added, “Wolf, the fact that we’re getting a test doesn’t really sit very well when we know so many Americans out there who need a test, can’t get one.”
The decision to test reporters that come in close proximity to the president follows a litany of heightened protocols for President Trump. The same rapid results tests being used on reporters starting Thursday have been used on anyone Trump meets.
