00:00President Donald Trump got his chance to respond to last night's election results
00:03during a rare press conference on Wednesday afternoon
00:06as he claimed victory for his Republican Party despite quote
00:10very hostile media coverage to put it mildly unquote.
00:14A frequent critic of the press, Trump said the media coverage set a new record
00:17and a new standard. The president lashed out at reporters during the question and answer
00:22portion of the press conference. Trump tussled with CNN chief White House
00:26correspondent Jim Acosta. After Acosta stood up to ask a question, Trump said
00:30Here we go. Well, if you don't mind, Mr. President.
00:34After CNN reporter Jim Acosta tried to ask a second question, Trump rebutted
00:38I'll tell you what, CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them.
00:43Continuing his attack, the Republican standard bearer said
00:45You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn't be working for CNN.
00:50You're a very rude person. The way you treat Sarah Huckabee Sanders is horrible.
00:54You shouldn't treat people that way.
00:56Trump had tried to stop Acosta from asking another question,
00:59demanding you put down the mic. At one point, Trump told Acosta
01:01Honestly, let me run the country. You run CNN.
01:05He also lashed out at another frequent White House foe,
01:09reporter April Ryan, preventing her from asking a question.
01:12In his comments, Trump called out and mocked Republican candidates
01:15who kept their distance from him and lost their elections on Tuesday night.
01:18The president said that Republican candidates achieve victory despite Democratic support
01:23from celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, who endorsed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
01:29Trump said he likes Winfrey, but added, I don't know if she likes me anymore.
01:33After the press conference ended, CNN released a statement responding to the president's attacks on the network and Acosta.
01:39This president's ongoing attacks on the press have gone too far.
01:43They are not only dangerous, they are disturbingly un-American.
01:46While President Trump has made it clear he does not respect a free press,
01:50he has a sworn obligation to protect it.
01:53A free press is vital to democracy,
01:55and we stand behind Jim Acosta and his fellow journalists everywhere.
01:58Keep it locked to THR.com for more updates.
02:01For The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Ben Myers.
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