Trump goes off on CNN's Jim Acosta, who refuses to sit down at press conference

US President Donald Trump points to journalist Jim Acosta from CNN during a post-election press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2018. US President Donald Trump points to journalist Jim Acosta from CNN during a post-election press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2018. Photo: JIM WATSON, AFP/Getty Images Photo: JIM WATSON, AFP/Getty Images Image 1 of / 69 Caption Close Trump goes off on CNN's Jim Acosta, who refuses to sit down at press conference 1 / 69 Back to Gallery

Even by President Trump's standards, Wednesday's news conference was a wild one.

The president sparred with several members of the media during a question-and-answer period, and an exchange with CNN's Jim Acosta was especially contentious, leading the reporter to having his press pass revoked by the White House.

Acosta took to Twitter to let his followers know that he was informed he was not allowed at the White House when he tried to enter for a news piece. "I've just been denied entrance to the WH," Acosta tweeted. "Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8 pm hit."

Acosta posted video of the exchange with Secret Service, writing, "As I told the officer, I don't blame him. I know he's just doing his job."

The US Secret Service just asked for my credential to enter the WH. As I told the officer, I don’t blame him. I know he’s just doing his job. (Sorry this video is not rightside up) pic.twitter.com/juQeuj3B9R — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders addressed Acosta's ban from the White House via her official Twitter account, mentioning Acosta's refusal to give a Trump staffer the mic, claiming the reporter was "placing his hands" on the staffer.

"President Trump believes in a free press and expects and welcomes tough questions of him and his Administration," Sanders wrote. "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."

As part of a longer statement on the incident, Sanders went on to say, "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.

"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. ... 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. As a result of today's incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice."

Here's video of the exchange between Acosta and the intern:

Who is this collaborator? pic.twitter.com/VN4xTYxoLE — John AraVOTEsis (@aravosis) November 7, 2018

Sanders' statement on Acosta can be found here. Acosta later replied to Sanders' tweet, writing simply, "This is a lie."

It all started with a question earlier today about Trump's characterization of the migrant caravan as an "invasion." Acosta said of the migrants, "They're hundreds and hundreds of miles away. That's not an invasion."

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Trump fired back, "Honestly, I think you should let me run the country. You run CNN and if you did it well, your ratings would do much better."

As Trump moved on to call on other reporters, a staffer attempted to pull the microphone away from Acosta, but he refused to give it up. Trump didn't back down either.

"CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn't be working for CNN."

See for yourself in the video below:

A few minutes later he demanded White House correspondent and CNN contributor April Ryan sit down, reprimanding her for "rudely interrupting" another reporter.

CNN released a statement following the news conference:

"This president's ongoing attacks on the press have gone too far. They are not only dangerous, they are disturbingly un-American. While President Trump has made it clear he does not respect a free press, he has a sworn obligation to protect it. A free press is vital to democracy, and we stand behind Jim Acosta and his fellow journalists everywhere."

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Acosta spoke about the exchange with CNN anchors Wolf Blitzer and Jake Tapper more than an hour later.

"When they go low, we keep doing our jobs," he said.

The Associated Press and SFGATE writer Dianne de Guzman contributed to this report.

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.

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