The White House on Wednesday did not condemn a group of people who heckled a CNN reporter at President Trump’s rally in Tampa, Fla.
“While we support freedom of the press, we also support freedom of speech. Those things go hand in hand,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said when asked whether Trump supports that behavior.
Trump on Tuesday used his Twitter account to promote a video of his supporters chanting “CNN sucks” at network correspondent Jim Acosta while he was live on air from the rally.
WATCH: Supporters of President Trump Chant ‘CNN Sucks’ During Jim Acosta’s Live Spot at Florida Rally pic.twitter.com/2fwQQRVsQf
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 31, 2018
Acosta also posted a video of the hecklers on his Twitter account, calling it a “sad scene.”
“I’m very worried that the hostility whipped up by Trump and some in conservative media will result in somebody getting hurt. We should not treat our fellow Americans this way. The press is not the enemy,” he wrote.
Just a sample of the sad scene we faced at the Trump rally in Tampa. I’m very worried that the hostility whipped up by Trump and some in conservative media will result in somebody getting hurt. We should not treat our fellow Americans this way. The press is not the enemy. pic.twitter.com/IhSRw5Ui3R
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 1, 2018
You are not the press. You are a purveyor of #Communist #Propaganda and you wouldn't know what an actual journalist was if Pulitzer came back from the dead to throw you in prison for Yellow Journalism
— overpasses4America (@o4america) August 1, 2018
Things just went downhill for Acosta from there.
This is how Americans treat an anti-American press. #CNNSucks
— Glen Woodfin (@GlenWoodfin) August 1, 2018
Like Scalise and others? Let’s remember who started all the hate and lies. You and your fake news network. You kissed Obama’s ass for 8 years then lie and distort every single thing @POTUS does then wonder why you get the middle finger? Just desserts. You are irrelevant. Bye.
— ✨Valerie✨ (@valfromcali) August 1, 2018
You mean like Maxine Waters encouraging people to harass Trump Administration members and Trump Supporters?
Or like Bernie Sanders Supporters opening fire on GOP members of Congress?
Or like Obama telling people to get in our faces?
Now you're wailing cause we push back?
— CNN'S Fake news!! (@cnnsbroken) August 1, 2018
Wrong. Those would be the Democrats. pic.twitter.com/InhKzEmRZv
— BDexin (@BDexin) August 1, 2018
Trump’s base is large and growing.
— Sarah Adams (@sarcamada) August 1, 2018
The sh** CNN stirred up over the last decade, has lead to cities being burned, police being assassinated, race riots, division of the populace, the rise of antifa amongst many other things. You are the WORST kind of person…YOU MAKE MONEY OFF THE MISERY OF OTHERS! #crapreporter
— Johnny Neumonic (@JNeumonic) August 1, 2018
Just shut up @Acosta .
NOBODY threw eggs or punches like the violent Left does, just insults at u & ur failing joke of a network.
Ur NOT a journalist. Ur a whore & a pimp 4the lunatic LW ideologies. Ur an embarrassing cartoon character.— @JohnDennisMAFL (@JohnDennisWEEI) August 1, 2018
You are the enemy Acosta your lies have results
— Jerome/A deplorable (@jeromeyee) August 1, 2018
Sense When are YOU our fellow man. You belong in jail for ling to the American Public and for Your collusion with the Deep State HOW MUCH DO THEY GIVE YOU TO BETRAY YOUR FELLOW MAN!!!
— deborah sidener redX (@debbiesidener2) August 1, 2018
Don't you see that the people are fed up with the lies and deceit? Yes the people will openly revolt. Many have woken up. You will reap what you sow. Why not report the truth and the good things that is happening in the country under President Trump?
— SuperElite Diane M (@dianestep22) August 1, 2018
The incident was the latest example of the president’s dislike for CNN, which he has repeatedly blasted as “fake news.”
Trump also refused to take a question from Acosta during a press conference last month with British Prime Minister Theresa May.
The White House last week barred another CNN reporter, Kaitlan Collins, from covering a press event after she asked Trump questions about his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS NEWS STORY, CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
James E Windsor, Overpasses News Desk
August 1st, 2018
