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Trump Mocks CNN Ratings During Exchange With Reporter Jim Acosta

February 16, 2017

President Donald Trump and CNN reporter Jim Acosta had another tense encounter on Thursday.

"For the record, we don't hate you, I don't hate you," Acosta said at the start, apparently attempting to mend the relationship.

"Ask Jeff Zucker how he got his job," Trump quipped, referencing CNN's president.

Later in the exchange, after Acosta said he was looking to follow up on previous questions, Trump interrupted to comment on his network's ratings.

"Your ratings aren't as good as some of the other people," Trump said.

Acosta defended himself before shifting to his line of questioning.

"They're pretty good right now actually, Mr. President," Acosta responded.

This is not the first time Trump and Acosta have had a contentious encounter. Last month, Trump called CNN "fake news" to Acosta's face as the reporter was trying to ask a question.

Then on Wednesday, Acosta expressed his frustration on air with Trump for picking conservative-leaning journalists to ask questions, saying the "fix is in."

Thursday's exchange came during a press conference in which the president announced Alexander Acosta as his new nominee for labor secretary. Trump joked that he checked to see if he was related to Jim Acosta.

Published under: CNN , Donald Trump , Media