White House reporter (by way of lawsuit) Jim Acosta faces a lot of criticism for the role he plays in the press corps, and has been locking horns with the administration since about Day 1.

Not all the criticism of Acosta has come exclusively from Trump or his followers, but almost all of it comes from the right.

On Thursday, he tweeted something outright false about the President’s remarks on immigration, and on Twitter, almost exclusively from those on the right, he was shredded for it.

Trump in Rose Garden speech paints asylum seekers with broad brush accusing them of misleading immigration authorities at border: “These are frivolous claims.” — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 16, 2019

What he said in that tweet is false. More on that below the tweets, but first, here are some notable, and occasionally humorous, reactions.

This is why people call you #FakeNews, Jim. pic.twitter.com/X7Rfbvy7nL — Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) May 16, 2019

CNN's @Acosta is a liar. Trump said: "Unfortunately legitimate asylum seekers are being displaced by those lodging frivolous claims. These are frivolous claims to gain admission into our country. Asylum abuse also strains our public school systems, hospitals, local shelters…" https://t.co/gZ0y6AhfwC — Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) May 16, 2019

Come on, @Acosta! This is what was said 👇! #getitright "Unfortunately legitimate asylum seekers are being displaced by those lodging frivolous claims. These are frivolous claims to gain admission into our country. Asylum abuse also strains our public school systems…etc" https://t.co/iJKajFLQJr — Michigan GOP (@MIGOP) May 16, 2019

This is a lie and @Acosta is intentionally changing @realDonaldTrump's meaning. What POTUS actually said was "unfortunately legitimate asylum asylum-seekers are being replaced by those lodging frivolous claims — these are frivolous claims to gain admission into our country." https://t.co/B4056tQh1B — Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) May 16, 2019

"Unfortunately, legitimate asylum seekers are displaced by those lodging frivolous claims." https://t.co/PBNcC2RoPo — Eddie Scarry (@eScarry) May 16, 2019

This is incorrect, so Acosta should correct the record. https://t.co/aPNIneJSES https://t.co/HneY5ofKww — David Rutz (@DavidRutz) May 16, 2019

You know there's video proving you're lying, right? Trump: "Our nation has a proud history of affording protection to those fleeing government persecutions. Unfortunately, legitimate asylum seekers are being displaced by those lodging frivolous claims….My plan expedites relief" pic.twitter.com/Gvz93vZBh3 — Official Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) May 16, 2019

Trump actually said: "Legitimate asylum seekers are being displaced by those lodging frivolous claims. These are frivolous claims to gain admission into our country." 80% of asylum cases are denied because they’re frivolous, #FactsFirst Jim. — Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) May 16, 2019

How did you think you were going to get away with this lie? pic.twitter.com/ZpunnKLrVM — Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) May 16, 2019

Full quote: "Unfortunately legitimate asylum seekers are being displaced by those lodging frivolous claims." — Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) May 16, 2019

The failure of those on the left or in the media to pile on is itself a commentary, but for those who think it’s fine to say he lacked context, but incorrect to say that he said is false, you need to read again what he actually wrote on Twitter.

Acosta said Trump “paints asylum seekers with broad brush accusing them of misleading immigration authorities.” That’s not misleading or lacking context, it’s false. I know, I was live-tweeting.

"Unfortunately legitimate asylum-seekers are being displaced by those lodging frivolous claims, these are frivolous claims, to gain admission into our country. " – Trump at immigration plan announcement. — Caleb Howe (@CalebHowe) May 16, 2019

“Unfortunately legitimate asylum-seekers are being displaced by those lodging frivolous claims,” said Trump.

Whether Jim Acosta believes that happens at the border is irrelevant. What’s relevant is that specifying there are two types of asylum-seekers is, by definition, not painting all asylum seekers with that broad brush. He said there is this kind, and there is that kind.

That’s the opposite of “broad brush” and, what’s more, by including the quote “these are frivolous claims” as the example of that broad brush, Acosta is excluding, not leaving out, the idea that Trump said there are non-frivolous claims. Yet Trump specifically stated that there are, and even that those legitimate claims should be honored and are under threat from the frivolous claims.

This could not be a more clear cut case. It’s not a lack of context. Acosta said something false. That’s just what happened.

If you’re wondering, he has not corrected his false statement, but is instead doubling down on his Twitter account.

Hi @TrumpWarRoom.. in the transcript you provided you note that Trump describes asylum claims as “frivolous” and “meritless.” The transcript also notes Trump uses the term “asylum abuse.” Trump clearly is accusing asylum seekers of misleading immigration authorities as I said. — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 16, 2019

Because that is the activist playbook. Not usually the journalist’s playbook, but as it says in the first paragraph, he has a particular role.

—

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]