White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier claimed Mr Acosta had “placed his hands on” a female aide trying to retrieve a microphone at the request of the president as the pair clashed during a news conference.

Footage of the incident shows Mr Acosta apparently brushing the woman’s arm as she reaches for the microphone and he tries to hold onto it. “Pardon me, ma’am,” he says.

Journalists and press organisations disputed Ms Huckabee Sanders’ version of events and claimed the White House’ decision to ban the CNN correspondent was ”weak and misguided”.

The White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), a coalition of journalists stationed at the government building, said it “strongly objects” to the US administration’s decision to ”use US secret service security credentials to punish a reporter with whom it has a difficult relationship”.

Journalists assigned to cover the White House must apply for passes to access press areas in the West Wing. White House staff then decide whether they are eligible, although it is the secret service that decides whether their applications are approved.

The WHCA statement continued: “Journalists may use a range of approaches to carry out their jobs and the WHCA does not police the tone or frequency of questions its members ask of powerful senior government officials, including the president.

“Such interactions, however uncomfortable they may appear to be, help define the strength of our national institutions.

“We urge the White House to immediately reverse this weak and misguided action.”

Reporters Without Borders, which campaigns for press freedom internationally, said in a Twitter post: “@PressSec decision to revoke @CNN @Acosta White House credentials appears to be blatant retaliation against his attempts to question the president at a briefing this afternoon.

“(The White House) blames Acosta for an 'assault' against a (White House) intern, which video clearly shows never happened.”

The organisations were joined by PEN America, a group representing writers that strives to protect free expression, which said the decision to revoke Mr Acosta’s press pass was “a clear attack on the first amendment”.

Mr Trump has also threatened to revoke press passes from other White House correspondents “in retaliation for the editorial decisions that reporter had made”, according to the group.

Responding to the White House revoking Mr Acosta’s pass, former White House Correspondent for CBS News Dan Rathe said: “News the White House pulled Jim @Acosta’s credentials is not an attack on one journalist but all of the press.

“There should be complete solidarity. This is a moment for any Republican who says they believe in the constitution to stand up.”

Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference Show all 10 1 /10 Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference Donald Trump launched an extraordinary tirade against CNN reporter Jim Acosta during a press conference following the midterm elections Reuters Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference The US president ordered the journalist to put down his microphone and “just sit down” AFP Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference The row began following a question about the migrant caravan approaching the US, when Mr Trump was asked by CNN’s Jim Acosta if he thought he had “demonised” migrants by calling the group an “invasion” EPA Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference “I think you should let me run the country, you run CNN, and if you did it well, your ratings would be much better,” said the President AFP/Getty Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference After Mr Acosta attempted to follow up his question with a second on Robert Mueller’s Russia probe, Mr Trump added, pointing angrily: “That’s enough. That’s enough. That’s enough. Excuse me, that’s enough.” Mr Trump said he was “not concerned about anything” because the investigation was “a hoax”. Continuing to berate Mr Acosta, he added: “That’s enough. Put down the mic.” As the reporter continued to quiz him, Mr Trump became more agitated and stepped away from the podium. EPA Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference Returning to the podium, Mr Trump said: “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 REUTERS Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference Trump continued: 'The way you treat Sarah Huckabee is horrible and the way you treat other people are horrible. You shouldn’t treat people that way.” She was sitting in the room listening on REUTERS Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference A second reporter, Peter Alexander, was called on by the president and said: “In Jim’s defence I’ve travelled with him a lot, he’s a diligent reporter.” EPA Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference Mr Trump cut him off, telling the NBC News journalist that “I’m not a big fan of yours either”, prompting laughter in the room AP Trump attacks CNN's Jim Acosta in angry White House press conference Mr Acosta continued to try to ask questions without his microphone, causing Mr Trump to tell him: “Just sit down, please. When you report fake news – no – when you report fake news, which CNN does, a lot, you are the enemy of the people.” REUTERS

Conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro agreed with the decision to revoke Mr Acosta’s press pass, but said he did not “lay hands” on the intern.

“This is not what happened,” he said in a Twitter post. "You could have banned him simply for refusing to abide by any of the normal rules of the press room. No need to state something happened that didn’t.”

CNN said in statement: “The White House announced tonight that it has revoked the press pass of CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta.

“It was done in retaliation for his challenging questions at today’s press conference. In an explanation, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders lied.