CNN reporter Jim Acosta was mocked on social media on Jan. 10, after posting a video showing him in front of the border wall in Texas.
In the video, the White House reporter attempted to downplay President Donald Trump’s claims of a crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, but many noted that he may have incidentally supported the president’s argument.
I found some steel slats down on the border. But I don’t see anything resembling a national emergency situation.. at least not in the McAllen TX area of the border where Trump will be today. pic.twitter.com/KRoLdszLUu
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) January 10, 2019
“Here are some of the steel slats that the president’s been talking about,” Acosta said in front of the border wall. “But as we’re walking along here, we’re not seeing any kind of imminent danger.”
Speaking from the Texas city of McAllen, he added: “There are no migrants trying to rush toward this fence.”
Acosta then noted there was “no sign of the national emergency that the president has been talking about,” while adding that it was “tranquil.”
His Twitter post suggested that he was filming near a Burger King in McAllen.
He captioned the Twitter post: “I found some steel slats down on the border. But I don’t see anything resembling a national emergency situation.. at least not in the McAllen TX area of the border where Trump will be today.”
I am *shocked* that a glib video, customized for re-tweets and filmed in broad daylight along one of the more secure parts of the RGV by a reporter who parachuted in for the day, did not reveal anything dramatic. https://t.co/TgPzMtU8pl
— Peter Hamby (@PeterHamby) January 10, 2019
Mocked
A number of conservative pundits took shots at Acosta on social media following the video.
“Er, you found a place where there is a barrier and all is quiet? Jim, do you know what point you’re actually making here?” said commentator Stephen Miller.
So where there are steel slats, there isn't an emergency crisis. Got it. https://t.co/q5IJcDJZo1
— Jake Wilkins (@JakeWilkns) January 10, 2019
Added Daily Wire reporter Ryan Saavedra, “Acosta making videos for the Trump administration showing the effectiveness of border barriers:”
“Jim Acosta just posted one of the biggest self owns ever,” wrote Caleb Hull. “He’s walking along the border where there’s a wall in place talking about how there’s nothing that ‘resembles a national emergency situation’ and ‘there’s no migrants trying to rush.’”
He added: “That’s because there’s a wall, Jim.”
“Walls work.”
— Jim @Acosta https://t.co/T2bKKkqjr2— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) January 10, 2019
Jim Acosta just posted one of the biggest self owns ever.
He's walking along the border where there's a wall in place talking about how there's nothing that "resembles a national emergency situation" and "there's no migrants trying to rush."
That's because there's a wall, Jim. https://t.co/qkuWRhxolW
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) January 10, 2019
Acosta making videos for the Trump administration showing the effectiveness of border barriers: https://t.co/6ZfZoykMh3
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) January 10, 2019
Er, you found a place where there is a barrier and all is quiet? Jim, do you know what point you're actually making here? https://t.co/YbZfYtyO5P
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) January 10, 2019
Clash With Kellyanne
Meanwhile, earlier this week, Acosta and White House advisor Kellyanne Conway clashed in Washington D.C. in front of other reporters.
Acosta had asked her if she would promise that Trump would tell the truth during his address to the nation on Tuesday night.
CNN’s Jim Acosta: “Kellyanne, can you promise the president will tell the truth tonight?”
Conway: “Yes, Jim. Do you promise that you will? … this is why I am one of the only people around here who even gives you the time of day…because you’re such a smartass most of the time” pic.twitter.com/8fZ1iycl9R
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) January 8, 2019
“Yes, Jim,” Conway told him “Can you promise that you will? The whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Am I allowed to mention ‘God’ to you?”
“Make sure that goes viral. This is why I’m one of the only people around here who even gives you the time of day,” Conway said. “You’re such a smart[expletive] most of the time and I know you want this to go viral.”
From The Epoch Times