Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Trevor Noah only half-laugh at the White House smearing CNN's Jim Acosta with doctored video
President Trump's newest trick is banning journalists, Stephen Colbert said on Thursday's Late Show. "That's very strongman. I'm not saying he's Kim Jong Un — he's Kim Jong-ish." At Wednesday's "White House press tantrum, the president and CNN's Jim Acosta just got into it — until an intern was dispatched" to grab Acosta's mic, Colbert said. "That has got to be the worst intern assignment. ... 'Brad, you're in charge of making copies, Kathy, you'll be destroying the First Amendment, okay? Remember, it's for college credit!'"
A lot of people were outraged that the White House then revoked Acosta's press pass, but Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended the move by tweeting a video appearing to show Acosta chopping the intern's arm. "That is terrible," Colbert said, "or it would be if it weren't 'fake news.' Because Sarah Sanders tweeted a doctored video," apparently from Alex Jones' Infowars. "The fact that the White House press secretary is promoting this doctored video is reprehensible and grounds for dismissal," he said. "Or as they call it in the Trump administration, Thursday."
In the doctored video tweeted out by "the Hucaka-B.S. machine," they "sped up Jim Acosta's hand movement to make it look more violent," Jimmy Kimmel explained on Kimmel Live. "Now Jim Acosta clearly never touched that White House intern — that's just a lie — and I think this also might be the first time I've seen Sarah Sanders take the woman's side on any subject, ever. So good for her, baby steps. But she should be forced to resign for that. I mean she intentionally disseminated doctored video footage to discredit a reputable journalist — she's the White House press secretary!"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Yeah, the fact that Trump is using doctored footage to prove something everyone knows is a lie is deeply disturbing, but also it's just lazy," Trevor Noah said at The Daily Show. "If you're going to use a fake video, use a fake video." Watch his example below. Peter Weber
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Why college students are struggling to read full books
Under the Radar Is reading full books a thing of the past for students?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: October 15, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: October 15, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published