Donald Trump BANS CNN reporter Jim Acosta from White House ‘for grabbing intern’ after row with President at press conference
Tempers flared when the President refused to answer questions from CNN reporter Jim Acosta about the migrants heading for the US border
DONALD Trump has banned a CNN reporter from the White House after a press conference clash, and accused him of "placing his hands" on a female intern.
Tempers flared when the President refused to answer questions from CNN reporter Jim Acosta about the migrants heading for the US border and Russian meddling in the US election.
Trump called him a "rude, terrible person" before Acosta was seen refusing to give his mic to a young woman.
He was later turned away at the White House press centre by secret service officers.
Trump says his pass has been suspended "until further notice".
"I've just been denied entrance to the WH," Acosta tweeted Wednesday night.
"Secret Service just informed me I cannot enter the WH grounds for my 8pm hit."
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed Acosta's ban in a statement, claiming the suspension stemmed from his "placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern."
She called the behaviour "absolutely unacceptable."
CNN posted its own commented saying she had "lied", "provided fraudulent accusations" and said the ban was a "threat to our democracy".
Acosta posted a twitter video of a guard confiscating his lanyard.
Earlier, Trump spoke loudly over Acosta and then tried to shut him down by demanding he hand over his microphone.
He said: "Why don’t you let me run the country you run CNN and if you did it well your ratings would improve."
When a White House aide bizarrely attempted to snatch the mic from him, Acosta quickly yanked it back.
"On the Russia investigation, are you concerned that you may ..?" Acosta said before Trump interrupted him.
The President blasted: "I'm not concerned about anything with the Russia investigation because it's a hoax."
Trump stepped away from the lectern for a a few seconds before returning to the microphone to take aim at Acosta again.
"I tell you what, CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them," the President said, shaking a finger at Acosta.
"You are a rude, terrible person."
He repeated that Acosta was a "very rude person," adding, "the way you treat Sarah Huckabee is horrible," referring to his White House press secretary.
"You shouldn't treat people that way," he said.
Trump earlier barked at reporters attending the midterm election press conference to sit down quickly.
And when NBC reporter Peter Alexander tried to defend Acosta he also felt the Republican's rage.
“In Jim’s defence, I’ve travelled with him and watched him. He’s a diligent reporter who busts his butt like the rest of us,” Alexander said.
“Well, I’m not a big fan of yours either,” said Trump.
Acosta again tried to interrupt Trump’s press conference, but eventually Alexander asked if Trump was trying to “divide” the American people.
“No. What, are you trying to be him?” Trump replied, pointing to Acosta.
“We want to be strong on the borders, we want to be strong on law enforcement, and I want to cherish ICE.”
“Sit down,” Trump said when Alexander insisted the President did not answer his question.
Trump also let rip when asked whether the Republican party has supported white nationalists.
He blasted “it’s a very racist question” and called the reporter a “terrible person.”
Trump concluded the heated meeting by saying “hopefully the tone can get a lot better but I really believe it begins with the media. We used to call it the press."
CNN later issued a Twitter statement saying Trump's continued attacks on the press were "disturbingly un-American."
Earlier the President Trump hailed himself as “magic” after the Democratic “blue wave” failed to gain control of the US Senate in the crunch midterm elections.
But the US President will now likely face investigations into his finances and alleged links to Russia after the Democratic party seized control of the House of Representatives.
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