President-elect Donald Trump resumed his sparring with the press Wednesday at his first post-election news conference -- where he tangled with a CNN journalist over the outlet's reporting on claims the Russians have compromising intel on him.
He attacked the reports as examples of so-called "fake news," and blasted BuzzFeed in particular (the only news outlet to publish the entire dossier) as a “failing pile of garbage.” However, CNN reporter Jim Acosta took issue with Trump’s words directed at both outlets, and called on Trump to let him ask a question.
“Since you’re attacking our news organization, can you give us a chance to ask a question?” he asked.
But Trump wasn’t having it.
“Not you, your news organization is terrible,” Trump replied, and turned to another reporter for a question.
But Acosta kept going, repeatedly shouting to try and get a question in.
“Can you give us a question? You are attacking us, can you give us a question Sir? Sir? Mr. President-elect,” Acosta shouted.
“Quiet. Quiet. She’s asking a question, don’t be rude, don’t be rude,” Trump scolded Acosta, while referring to another questioner.
When Acosta once again sought to ask a question, Trump responded: “No I’m not going to give you a question – you are fake news.”
“No Mr. President-elect, that is not appropriate,” Acosta responded, before giving up.
CNN later issued a statement on Twitter defending their reporting, and drawing a distinction between their reporting and that of BuzzFeed, which published the full document.