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Sean Spicer Tells CNN Reporter He Has 'Zero Intelligence'

March 16, 2017

White House spokesman Sean Spicer had an awkward moment during Thursday's press briefing when he said that CNN reporter Jim Acosta has "zero intelligence."

Spicer was referring to Acosta not having access to classified intelligence briefings and materials, but the way he made the statement sounded like he was pointing to the reporter's intellect.

The two men had a heated exchange as Acosta was asking Spicer about evidence related to President Donald Trump's accusation that Trump Tower was wiretapped before the 2016 election.

"Somehow you seem to believe that you have all of this information, you've been read in on all of these things, which I find very interesting," said Spicer, the White House press secretary.

"I have been read in by the FBI–" Acosta responded before Spicer cut him off.

"You're coming to some serious conclusions for a guy that has zero intelligence," Spicer said before pausing.

Other reporters in the room began to laugh as Spicer realized how his comment sounded.

"Give me some credit," Acosta joked.

"Clearance," Spicer clarified while smiling. "I wasn't done. Clearance, maybe both."

Thursday's briefing was not the first time Acosta had a heated exchange with the White House. Acosta and President Trump have clashed multiple times at press conferences, including earlier this year, when Trump mocked CNN's ratings to Acosta's face.