White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders sparred with CNN’s Chief Washington Correspondent, Jim Acosta at Thursday’s daily press briefing.
Sanders told Acosta that Trump isn’t watch his network, which he has routinely labels as “fake news.”
“I’m sure you’re disappointed he’s not watching CNN,” Sanders snapped.
“I think he watches a lot of CNN, if you don’t mind me saying,” said Acosta.
“I don’t think that’s true,” said Sanders, adding, “Your numbers would be higher.”
The moment provoked some audible surprise from Acosta’s fellow correspondents.
The incident was precipitated by a question from Acosta about the president’s longstanding tradition of watching “Fox & Friends” in the morning and then live-tweeting his own personal commentary.
“There’s a cause and effect, he watched something on ‘Fox & Friends’ and then he tweets about it,” said Acosta. “Does that go on?”
Acosta has long been pegged as one of Trump’s least favorite journalists at his least favorite network. Since becoming president, the two men have sparred on live television numerous times and Trump has called Acosta “fake news” to his face.
CNN, however, is seemingly been pleased with Acosta’s overall performance in D.C., promoting him to chief White House Correspondent earlier this week.