Constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley criticized CNN reporter Jim Acosta’s behavior during White House coronavirus briefings.
“Jim Acosta’s interruption of Dr. Birx is an example of how CNN’s echo-journalism model is destroying the media’s credibility,” Turley tweeted on Saturday. “Every question from Acosta is an effort to score points rather than elicit information. It is a press pandemic that continues to rage without relief.”
Turley (who was referring to Deborah Birx, the response coordinator for the task force) was a GOP witness during the Democratic-led impeachment investigation against President Trump.
Jim Acosta’s interruption of Dr. Birx is an example of how CNN’s echo-journalism model is destroying the media’s credibility. Every question from Acosta is an effort to score points rather than elicit information. It is a press pandemic that continues to rage without relief.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) April 3, 2020
Acosta drew the ire of several journalists for his combative style during White House briefings on the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, including from Fox News’s Brit Hume, who criticized Acosta for “interrupting” the president.
“Back when I was a White House correspondent, and when Sam Donaldson was before me, we asked aggressive questions, “ Hume tweeted. “But we were respectful and almost never interrupted or argued with a president. @johnrobertsFox and a few others still observe such customs. Too many now don’t.”
Back when I was a White House correspondent, and when Sam Donaldson was before me, we asked aggressive questions. But we were respectful and almost never interrupted or argued with a president. @johnrobertsFox and a few others still observe such customs. Too many now don’t. https://t.co/HaGCP1nQjy
— Brit Hume (@brithume) April 3, 2020
Acosta and Trump have clashed several times over the years, with the president calling him a “rude, terrible person” in 2018. The White House briefly revoked Acosta’s press badge that same year, which prompted a legal challenge.
ICYMI: The explosive exchange that ultimately ended in Jim Acosta having his “hard pass” revoked…
“CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are rude, terrible person.” – Trump to Acosta pic.twitter.com/8ofCvp1P2e
— BlazeTV (@BlazeTV) November 9, 2018
