CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta left the White House Press Briefing today after Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders declined to say that the Press is not the enemy of the people.
Huckabee Sanders danced around the issue as Acosta asked about it, instead preferring to blame the media for being negative and the vitriol in the public sphere (such as Michelle Wolff’s jokes about her at the White House Correspondents Dinner).
Acosta then pointed out that she did not answer his question directly and apologized for the treatment she has gotten, but Sanders responded, “I appreciate your passion; I share it. I’ve addressed this question. I’ve addressed my personal feelings.”
“I’m here to speak on behalf of the President, and he’s made his comments clear.”
Acosta then left the Briefing and tweeted out his annoyance at Huckabee Sanders.
I walked out of the end of that briefing because I am totally saddened by what just happened. Sarah Sanders was repeatedly given a chance to say the press is not the enemy and she wouldn’t do it. Shameful.
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 2, 2018