# White House likley altered video of Jim Acosta **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 9, 2018, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242 "2018-11-09T15:06:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Batano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@Batano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batano)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/61 "2018-11-13T08:43:07Z")
It sickens me that Trump was a guest on Aoex Jones’ show and that the WH shared a vidro from the Info Wars site. That is a site that has caused so much suffering to the Sandy Hook parents. What pieces of excrement the entire administration are. It makes me wish there were a hell so they could go there. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/62 "2018-11-13T11:44:29Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > The White House attempting to smear the reputation of a reporter is pathetic. Period. It’s deeper than that; they are assaulting the concept of truth. That has been their goal from the start. Attack people who try to present facts on the one hand, and drown them out with repetitive falsity on the other. This is how authoritarians behave. Democratic self-rule depends on the citizenry having access to information that enables them to make sound decisions. By poisoning the well, authoritarians create doubt. “Can we really know the difference between truth and fiction?” In the end, over time, the authoritarian truth competes with objective truth, and they try to become the source of “truth.” It’s critical to understand that this campaign isn’t about attacking a reporter’s credibility; it’s one tactic in an attempt to undermine all of American democracy. A regime that engages in this sort of behavior in undermining the confidence in press freedom is the same one that will also try to undermine public confidence in elections and democracy in any form. This is the danger we’re facing, and while most people look around and feel ‘free’, we’re being assaulted on a daily basis. That’s why I say it over and over again: this is among the gravest threats this country has faced. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/63 "2018-11-13T14:36:25Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > It’s not like the original unaltered video wasn’t available to them. They could have chosen to upload that copy. For some reason they chose to upload a copy from a third party or they doctored the original themselves. Why would you expect anything else from Sarah “Alternate Facts” Sanders? ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/64 "2018-11-13T16:12:13Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Why would you expect anything else from Sarah “Alternate Facts” Sanders? FTR, I think that was Kellyanne Conway. But I digress. All cats are grey. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/65 "2018-11-13T16:49:19Z")
And now CNN has sued to get Acosta back in his job: [https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/13/media/cnn-sues-trump/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/13/media/cnn-sues-trump/index.html). > [@](#): > > “CNN filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration this morning in DC District Court,” the statement read. “It demands the return of the White House credentials of CNN’s Chief White House correspondent, Jim Acosta. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acosta’s First Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their Fifth Amendment rights to due process. We have asked this court for an immediate restraining order requiring the pass be returned to Jim, and will seek permanent relief as part of this process.” The plot thickens. ---
**Author:** ![UnwittingAmericans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d9b06d/32.png) [@UnwittingAmericans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwittingAmericans)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/66 "2018-11-13T16:53:56Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > It’s deeper than that; they are assaulting the concept of truth. That has been their goal from the start. Attack people who try to present facts on the one hand, and drown them out with repetitive falsity on the other. This is how authoritarians behave. Democratic self-rule depends on the citizenry having access to information that enables them to make sound decisions. By poisoning the well, authoritarians create doubt. “Can we really know the difference between truth and fiction?” In the end, over time, the authoritarian truth competes with objective truth, and they try to become the source of “truth.” > > It’s critical to understand that this campaign isn’t about attacking a reporter’s credibility; it’s one tactic in an attempt to undermine all of American democracy. A regime that engages in this sort of behavior in undermining the confidence in press freedom is the same one that will also try to undermine public confidence in elections and democracy in any form. This is the danger we’re facing, and while most people look around and feel ‘free’, we’re being assaulted on a daily basis. That’s why I say it over and over again: this is among the gravest threats this country has faced. The real purpose is double-edged. For his supporters, it gives them their talking point. To everybody else, it says “I am going to lie to you, we both know I’m lying, nothing will happen, and there’s nothing anybody can do about it.” ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/67 "2018-11-13T17:11:55Z")
> [@CaptMurdock](#): > > FTR, I think that was Kellyanne Conway. But I digress. All cats are grey. You’re right. Sometimes I lose track with this revolving door administration. I get Donny Two-scoops’ wife and daughter confused as well, but in my defense, so does he. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/68 "2018-11-13T20:46:18Z")
> [@UnwittingAmericans](#): > > The real purpose is double-edged. > > For his supporters, it gives them their talking point. > > To everybody else, it says “I am going to lie to you, we both know I’m lying, nothing will happen, and there’s nothing anybody can do about it.” It’s the middle that matters. Trump can’t win with his supporters alone, and his opposition can win by themselves either. It’s the middle that determines what happens in a democracy - always. Normally, the center simply influences whether the left or right governs for the next 2-6 years, but the stakes are higher now. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/69 "2018-11-15T00:12:15Z")
The video shows Acosta hit a woman who was simply doing her job. Acosta then lost his WH lame stream media credentials. Maybe the woman who was assaulted by Acosta should ask for a restraining order against Acosta? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/70 "2018-11-15T00:15:34Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The video shows Acosta hit a woman That’s a lie. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/71 "2018-11-15T00:22:01Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The video shows Acosta hit a woman This is false, the video does not show this. But the White House is grateful that you are swallowing their incredibly obvious bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/72 "2018-11-15T00:23:49Z")
Jim Acosta literally murdered a white house aide in that video and you’re all covering him. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/73 "2018-11-15T00:26:46Z")
CNN, and Acosta, have no unfettered right to a pass. But they have a right to a decision in writing, a meaningful opportunity to rebut any specific allegations made that support the decision, and the decision must be based on reasons other than the content of Acosta’s speech. Sherrill v. Knight, 569 F. 2d 124 (DC Cir. 1977). ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/74 "2018-11-15T01:06:49Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The video shows Acosta hit a woman who was simply doing her job. Acosta then lost his WH lame stream media credentials. Maybe the woman who was assaulted by Acosta should ask for a restraining order against Acosta? “lame stream media” again? ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/75 "2018-11-15T02:24:36Z")
Well Fox News is siding [with](https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/14/media/cnn-lawsuit-support/index.html) CNN in it’s lawsuit against Trump & co. This is either out of journalist integrity or they _really_ don’t want this precedent set for the next time there’s a Democrat in the White House. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/76 "2018-11-15T02:44:36Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > CNN, and Acosta, have no unfettered right to a pass. But they have a right to a decision in writing, a meaningful opportunity to rebut any specific allegations made that support the decision, and the decision must be based on reasons other than the content of Acosta’s speech. > > Sherrill v. Knight, 569 F. 2d 124 (DC Cir. 1977). I don’t understand this. Assuming this goes to the SC, can’t the SC just say “No, the President decides who gets press passes”? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/77 "2018-11-15T04:41:38Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > That’s a lie. While doorhinge’s remark is clearly contradicted by all the genuine evidence, it is still against the rules to accuse a poster of lying. This is a Warning to avoid such behavior in the future. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/78 "2018-11-15T04:48:43Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The video shows Acosta hit a woman who was simply doing her job. Acosta then lost his WH lame stream media credentials. Maybe the woman who was assaulted by Acosta should ask for a restraining order against Acosta? Given the multiple videos that demonstrate that this is not what happened, it is curious that you would rely on a video that has been doctored (and the manner in which it was doctored has been publicly explained). And while it is wrong to claim that you are lying, it makes your participation odd when your remarks are based on a claim that has been demonstrated to be false. Perhaps you should rethink your acceptance of claims from proven liars such as S. H. Sanders and Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/79 "2018-11-15T06:51:29Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Well Fox News is siding [with](https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/14/media/cnn-lawsuit-support/index.html) CNN in it’s lawsuit against Trump & co. This is either out of journalist integrity or they _really_ don’t want this precedent set for the next time there’s a Democrat in the White House. No judge worth his legal credentials would rule in favor of CNN. For starters, the White House press room is a finite resource: there simply is not enough physical room to give a press pass to every person who wants one. There is no compelling First Amendment reason to try to break the laws of physics. Secondly, CNN is still well-represented even with the absence of Acosta. They have 12(!!!) other credentialed people currently on the roster. > **[White House press corps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_press_corps#Television)** > > The White House press corps is the group of journalists, correspondents, and members of the media usually assigned to the White House in Washington, D.C., to cover the president of the United States, White House events, and news briefings. Its offices are located in the West Wing. > The White House press secretary, or a deputy, generally holds a weekday news briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, which currently seats 49 reporters. Each seat is assigned to a news gathering organizat... There simply is no room to argue that either the media in general, nor CNN in particular, nor even Acosta, is harmed or is prevented from exercising freedom of speech. Acosta is still a journalist; he still has a job, even if it is not the one that he would prefer. The First Amendment does not compel that a specific journalist be given a specific job. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242/80 "2018-11-15T10:27:59Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > No judge worth his legal credentials would rule in favor of CNN. > > For starters, the White House press room is a finite resource: there simply is not enough physical room to give a press pass to every person who wants one. There is no compelling First Amendment reason to try to break the laws of physics. > > Secondly, CNN is still well-represented even with the absence of Acosta. They have 12(!!!) other credentialed people currently on the roster. > [White House press corps - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_press_corps#Television) > > There simply is no room to argue that either the media in general, nor CNN in particular, nor even Acosta, is harmed or is prevented from exercising freedom of speech. Acosta is still a journalist; he still has a job, even if it is not the one that he would prefer. The First Amendment does not compel that a specific journalist be given a specific job. Perhaps you should read up on the court case Bricker brought up. It makes a pretty clear case for CNN to prevail. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-likley-altered-video-of-jim-acosta/824242.md?page=5)