White House press secretary Sarah Sanders and CNN’s chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta sparred on Monday about how the White House has not taken questions from CNN at recent press briefings, after Acosta suggested the White House was apprehensive about responding to questions from the outlet.
“Third press briefing in a row that @PressSec did not take a question from CNN. #courage,” Acosta tweeted Monday afternoon.
Third press briefing in a row that @PressSec did not take a question from CNN. #courage
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) March 5, 2018
But in response, Sanders challenged Acosta’s definition of courage.
“Courage isn’t taking ‘a question from CNN,’ Jim. Courage is combat veterans Sgt. Peck and Staff Sgt. Dwyer – the two heroes at the briefing. #itsnotaboutyou,” she tweeted Monday evening.
Courage isn’t taking “a question from CNN,” Jim. Courage is combat veterans Sgt. Peck and Staff Sgt. Dwyer – the two heroes at the briefing. #itsnotaboutyou https://t.co/kp5rYrtMpt
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) March 5, 2018
“Wish you had given them time to take our questions too,” Acosta quipped back. “You just bailed from the briefing.”
Wish you had given them time to take our questions too. You just bailed from the briefing. https://t.co/ryTalMI58F
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) March 5, 2018
Acosta had also made the point as Sanders left the podium of the James S. Brady Briefing Room at the White House earlier on Monday.
“Sarah, this is the third briefing you have not taken a question from CNN. Do you expect the Justice Department to enforce all subpoenas, Sarah?” Acosta asked at the end of Monday’s press briefing.
Sanders did not respond and continued to exit the briefing room.
This isn’t the first time Acosta has bickered with the White House. President Trump has quarreled with Acosta himself when the journalist tried to ask a question of him.
“Your organization is terrible,” then-President-elect Trump said after Acosta attempted to ask a question in Jan. 2017.
Trump has long made it a habit to criticize the media — particularly outlets that publish stories critical of him — often labeling them “fake news.”
