Trump demands 'respect' from journalists; might restrict access
What's the story
US President Donald Trump's feud with the American press seems to be taking a turn for the worse.
Following heated exchanges with reporters on Wednesday, Trump, on Friday, called for journalists to show more "respect", and moments later, angrily turned down a reporter's question because it was "stupid".
Earlier, Trump had revoked the White House pass of a renowned CNN journalist.
Here's more.
Acosta
Trump exploded at CNN reporter Jim Acosta on Wednesday
On Wednesday, Trump exploded at CNN star reporter Jim Acosta when the latter tried to press him about Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe.
It's widely believed that Trump's decision to fire Attorney General Jess Sessions and appoint Matthew Whitaker in his stead is a move to stifle the investigation.
When Acosta pressed the issue, Trump called him a "rude, terrible person".
Subsequently, Acosta's White House pass was revoked.
Twitter Post
WATCH: Trump's heated exchange with Jim Acosta
President Trump to Jim @Acosta: "You should let me run the country. You run CNN."
— CSPAN (@cspan) November 7, 2018
"That's enough. Put down the mic. CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude terrible person." pic.twitter.com/GR9TIbKUok
Details
White House used a doctored video to justify banning Acosta
While media houses condemned the move and called it an attack on the freedom of the press, the White House defended the decision to cancel Acosta's pass.
However, the narrative was twisted.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, citing a heavily edited video by far-right conspiracy website InfoWars, said that Acosta's pass was revoked because the reporter had 'placed hands' on a White House intern.
Phillip
Friday's incident was similar to Wednesday's
On Friday too, a similar situation unfolded.
When CNN reporter Abby Phillip asked the US President whether his move to replace Sessions was an attempt to hold back the explosive Russia probe, Trump snapped and walked away, calling the question "stupid".
"You ask a lot of stupid questions," said Trump, before angrily walking away.
Others
Trump could ban other reporters from entering the White House
Just moments before his angry exchange with Phillip, Trump had defended the decision to bar Acosta from getting access to the White House.
Further, he said that such a ban could be extended to more journalists, including American Urban Radio journalist April Ryan.
"It could be others also," said the President, just before leaving for an international gathering in Paris to commemorate World War I.
Quote
Trump demands more respect from journalists
"When you're in the White House, this is a very sacred place to me. It's a very special place. You have to treat the White House with respect. You have to treat the presidency with respect," concluded the angry President.