Social media has lit up after a stoush between President Donald Trump and CNN reporter Jim Acosta, with rival camps trying to claim the higher ground.

The president and the reporter sparred at a press briefing Wednesday, culminating with a White House intern trying to pull the microphone away from Mr Acosta.

Mr Acosta's press pass was later cancelled amid accusations that he "placed his hands" on the intern.

One video that is circulating widely appears to have doctored Mr Acosta's movements. Critics say it's being used to "amp up the conflict".

This subtle edit of the Acosta video - his arm sped up ever so slightly, to amp up the conflict - now has thousands of retweets and hundreds of thousands of views. Video, once the end-all central validator, is becoming as vulnerable to politicized distortion as everything else https://t.co/rsYkn6u8pz — Drew Harwell (@drewharwell) November 8, 2018

The edited version has been shared by White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders.

We stand by our decision to revoke this individual’s hard pass. We will not tolerate the inappropriate behavior clearly documented in this video. pic.twitter.com/T8X1Ng912y — Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018

This prompted several prominent journalists and political analysts to accuse Ms Sanders of using the edited version to make it appear the action was more aggressive.

This included Matt Dornic, CNN's vice president of communications and digital partnerships, who said the sharing of the video was "shameful."

"History will not be kind to you," he tweeted.

Absolutely shameful, @PressSec. You released a doctored video - actual fake news. History will not be kind to you. https://t.co/v1w9Lj9TlK — Matt Dornic (@mdornic) November 8, 2018

The government is literally falsifying evidence to wrongfully accuse a private citizen of a crime in order to revoke his rights. — Dana Schwartz (@DanaSchwartzzz) November 8, 2018

The White House Press Secretary tweeted a doctored Infowars video, solidifying her position as the most dishonest Press Secretary in history. That is something. https://t.co/rQgJnGfQq1 — Elise Jordan (@Elise_Jordan) November 8, 2018

This is a video that Infowars made. They sped it up so that it seems more violent than it is. https://t.co/FH1tsGSSaU — Nicole Goodkind (@NicoleGoodkind) November 8, 2018

.@PressSec you are seriously tweeting out an obviously doctored video – from InfoWars no less – to substantiate a false accusation of assault against a journalist???



The standard for libel against a public figure is acting with “actual malice,” and your tweet is Exhibit A. https://t.co/G6JKx3ZrpN — Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) November 8, 2018

Other social media users are sharing one of Mr Trump's tweets from 2013 where he criticises the "intimidation of its reporters".

There’s always a tweet https://t.co/vRT65Iyfst — Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) November 8, 2018

Twitter users have also accused the White House of engaging in 'Orwellian' tactics following the incident. Harry Potter author JK Rowling was among those to tweet a George Orwell quote.

‘And if all others accepted the lie which the Party imposed—if all records told the same tale—then the lie passed into history and became truth.’ — George Orwell, 1984 https://t.co/SKTAnM3BNP — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 8, 2018

“The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”—George Orwell pic.twitter.com/HnfJb3YY6v — Ryan Knight 🌊 (@ProudResister) November 8, 2018

And CNN has slammed the White House for its actions.

But the White House maintains that Mr Acosta was in the wrong, with Ms Sanders tweeting that his actions were "absolutely unacceptable".

President Trump believes in a free press and expects and welcomes tough questions of him and his Administration. We will, however, never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern... — Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018

This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporter’s colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history. — Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018

Contrary to CNN’s assertions there is no greater demonstration of the President’s support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters... — Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018

...over the course of 1.5 hours including several from the reporter in question. The fact that CNN is proud of the way their employee behaved is not only disgusting, it‘s an example of their outrageous disregard for everyone, including young women, who work in this Administration — Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 8, 2018

At the earlier news conference Mr Trump, when asked by Mr Acosta if he had "demonised immigrants" during the midterms campaign, replied: "No, I want them to come into the country. But they have to come in legally."

Mr Acosta persisted, saying: "They are hundreds of miles away. That is not an invasion."

At that point, the president snapped.

"Honestly, I think you should let me run the country. You run CNN, and if you did it well, your ratings would be higher," Mr Trump said.

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As the reporter continued, Mr Trump declared: "That's enough, put down the mic" and walked away from his own podium, as if leaving.

The intern attempted to grab the microphone from Mr Acosta, who nevertheless tried to shout out one last question.

AAP

Waving his finger, Mr Trump berated him.

"I'll tell you what, CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn't be working for CNN," he said.

When NBC reporter Peter Alexander took the mic for the next question, he defended Mr Acosta as a "diligent reporter" - earning Mr Trump's ire.

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"I'm not a fan of yours either. To be honest. You aren't the best," he said.

Looking back at Mr Acosta, who again rose up in his own defence, Mr Trump added: "When you report fake news, which CNN does a lot, you are the enemy of the people."