The usually polite disagreement of a White House media briefing grew very heated Friday after CNN reporter Jim Acosta sought to attack White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany over President Donald Trump’s recent satirical video tweets mocking CNN.
Acosta opened his round of questions by asking about McEnany’s attendance at Saturday’s Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and whether she and other White House officials would wear a mask at the rally.
“It’s a personal choice. I won’t be wearing a mask. I can’t speak for my colleagues,” she said.
Acosta then jabbed at McEnany.
“And why won’t you wear a mask? Is it sort of a personal political statement? Is it because the president would be disappointed in you if you don’t wear a mask? Why is that?” he said.
“It’s a personal — it’s a personal decision. I’m tested regularly. I feel that it’s safe for me not to be wearing a mask, and I’m in compliance with CDC guidelines, which are recommended but not required,” she said.
Acosta then moved on to Trump’s satirical tweets, one of which was labeled as “manipulated media” by Twitter. The videos mocked how CNN would have covered a story to paint the president with a negative brush regardless of the actual content.