CNN anchor Jim Acosta lashed out at President-elect Donald Trump during Thursday's news segment, defending America's free and fair press while declaring that journalists are “not the enemy of the people.”
After outgoing President Biden, 82, warned in his farewell address to the nation on Wednesday night that “freedom of the press is collapsing,” the frequent opponent of President Donald Trump warned of the importance of media in a democracy. He ended a program on the same station explaining the importance of this.
“I would like to talk a little bit about what President Biden said in his farewell speech.” Mr. Acosta said this at the beginning of his approximately one-minute speech.
“He warned that freedom of the press is collapsing in this country, and I might add, only if we, the people, let it happen,” he continued.
“Journalists exist to seek the truth, tell people's stories, elevate voices that go unheard, shine a light on injustice, and hold those in power accountable,” Acosta added.
“We are not the enemy of the people. We are the people's defenders.” Walter Cronkite once said, “Freedom of the press is not only important to democracy.” That's democracy.”
The apparent message to Trump, released just days before he was sworn in as the 47th president, appeared to be in response to the president-elect's repeated comments over the past decade calling the press “the enemy of the people.”
President Trump has also frequently criticized critical reporting as “fake news.”
The CNN anchor concluded his monologue by holding up a bright pink poster given to him by a viewer at the start of the Trump administration in 2016. The placard featured a hand-drawn fist holding a pencil beneath the words “I march.” To Jim Acosta and the free press. ”
“I'd like to take a moment and show you something. Eight years ago, a woman sent me this sign,” the liberal-leaning commentator said.
“She brought it here at the March on Washington. She wrote on the back of the sign to me and the press in Washington, D.C., 'We have your support.' Dear Nora, wherever you are, please come back soon. ”
Some praised Acosta, who shared the clip on the X platform, while others criticized his “ostentatious arrogance” and “arrogance.”
“I think one of the reasons people hate media personalities like Acosta, beyond the cheating, is this kind of ostentatious self-flagellation,” reporter Drew Holden said. Posted in X.
“I think a little less soapboxing would be a great help not only to him, but also to CNN and broader corporate coverage.”
Biden, the oldest sitting U.S. president, also harshly attacked President-elect and ally Elon Musk during a speech in the Oval Office, claiming that an “oligarchy” is on the horizon. did.
The commander-in-chief also called for the constitution to be amended to ensure that “no president is immune from crimes committed while in office.”
