CNN White House reporter Jim Acosta said, at least, for the time being, the national media can expect President Trump to avoid aggressive questioning during press conferences.
On Wednesday, Trump hosted a joint press conference at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the Q&A portion, Trump called on two American reporters, both of whom represent right-leaning news outlets.
In a segment on CNN with host Wolf Blitzer afterward, Acosta expressed disappointment that Trump was not pressed harder on the resignation of now-former national security adviser Mike Flynn.
“And so in the last three news conferences, Wolf, all of the questions to the American news media have been handled by conservative press,” Acosta said. “And I think, Wolf, there’s no other way to describe it, but, the fix is in. This White House, this president does not want to answer questions, critical questions, about his associates, his aides contacts with the Russians …”
CNN reporter @Acosta after Trump calls on only right-wing outlets for the third straight press conference: "The fix is in" pic.twitter.com/FPtaGEIenC— John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) February 15, 2017
Acosta said the president’s handlers “may think that this is being cute or they think this is strategic in trying to shield the president from questions, but those questions can only be shielded for so long, Wolf.”
Trump was, however, asked during the conference about Flynn, to which Trump said his former adviser was treated unfairly by the news media. He also described Flynn as “wonderful.”
A similar press conference played out Monday when Trump took questions at the White House standing next to Candian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
At that conference, Trump took questions from two more right-leaning outlets, neither of which asked about Flynn, who was still a White House official at the time.
Flynn’s resignation came as the White House is under increased scrutiny regarding its relationship with the Russian government, which stands accused by U.S. intelligence of attempting to interfere in the November election.
