The wrong Jim Acosta has faced a barrage of criticism online after the White House pulled the permanent press credentials of CNN’s chief White House correspondent, who shares his name.
Jim Acosta, a California-based emergency manager and author whose Twitter username or handle is “jimacosta”, has copped angry messages on social media calling him a “moron” and “shameless coward.” The reactions were triggered by White House press secretary Sarah Sanders’ announcement Wednesday that the CNN reporter, who tweets under the handle “acosta,” was being reprimanded for a controversial encounter he had with a White House intern earlier in the day.
Jim Acosta, the cable news fixture, and the young unnamed woman tussled over a microphone at a press conference with President Trump on when the correspondent insisted asking one more question even after Trump said he had enough.
The White House has since suspended Acosta’s hard pass, citing how he placed his hands on on the intern. Acosta and CNN have maintained that the White House has misled with its description of events, and a debate over video footage of the incident has sparked a fierce Internet debate.
Pundits online were quick to misdirect outrage intended for CNN’s Acosta, who has gained a reputation for his combative interactions with the Trump administration, to the unwitting one.
Charge the sob w assault, battery, & sexual harassment. And that was a young lady who is an Intern. @JimAcosta is a moron who should be whipped!
— Tony Sanichara (@tjohara74) November 8, 2018
@JimAcosta is a shameless coward condoned by @CNN which cares little how deep it’s so called “journalists” burrow into its #FakeNews sewage sludge. pic.twitter.com/ebIxNz7cyf
— jjr (@trustmeabe) November 8, 2018
Bye Bye Jim Acosta ? https://t.co/07uPYlbQ48 via @YouTube Same stupid questions time and time again @JimAcosta Russian Collusion! ? Get over it son! Hope I never see you again in the White House! I’m tired of listening to your Whining! Period!!! pic.twitter.com/C7E0iOn2Kn
— Porfie Moreno (@porfie_moreno) November 8, 2018
Then they are gutless and just as guilty as @JimAcosta https://t.co/l5OYtKC9Ue
— jjr (@trustmeabe) November 8, 2018
But the other Acosta also heard from his fair share of supporters.
If someone tried to grab my mic out of my hand, I doubt I would say “Pardon me Ma’am” but @jimAcosta did. He’s a better man than I am. Do NOT watch this video WITHOUT sound. https://t.co/qo3LxwTvzv #dropthemic #FreePress #FirstAmendment #bull
— Randi Rhodes (@RandiRhodes) November 8, 2018
@realDonaldTrump @PressSec you can try and silence the media if they don’t agree with your lies but the truth will not be silenced. I stand with @JimAcosta and @CNNPolitics for keeping it real. https://t.co/VuT73I6g3G
— Chloe M. (@AlProsciutto2) November 8, 2018
Isn’t this illegal? Are there no laws anymore? I watched the interview on TV, @JimAcosta did not touch her, but,she did grab at him. Are we paying for these #girlsinpearlsanddresses? https://t.co/9toqvsymND
— (((Barbara Albin))) Vote November 6th (@topmom100) November 8, 2018
Amid the controversy, Sanders defended the White House’s move to punish CNN’s Acosta over the incident.
“The question is: Did the reporter make contact or not? The video is clear, he did. We stand by our statement,” she told reporters on Thursday.
