CNN reporter Jim Acosta was caught on a hot mic in Singapore at the Trump-Kim summit making a comment that seemingly indicates that he intentionally later disrupted a diplomatic event while Trump and Kim were signing their bilateral agreement, in retaliation for not being allowed in the room.
The historic summit took place Tuesday morning in Singapore time between President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.
Acosta is under fire for interrupting the historic signing of an agreement between the U.S. and North Korea multiple times.
CNN’s Jim Acosta interrupts a historic signing ceremony with North Korea, shouts questions at President Trump. #TrumpKimSummit pic.twitter.com/6SJPOFvcto
— Ryan Saavedra 🇺🇸 (@RealSaavedra) June 12, 2018
Acosta had earlier in the day, not knowing his mic was still on, said: “Hey, if they’re not gonna let me in the fu*king meeting, that’s what happens.”
Listen to his comment below, which occurs at the 2:41:09 mark. The video has been set to start a few seconds before the remark.
Trump 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale called for the immediate suspension of Acosta’s press credentials.
Jim @Acosta should immediately have his press credentials suspended. He is an absolute disgrace! @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/EY18ZeIq2h
— Brad Parscale (@parscale) June 12, 2018
Trump and Acosta have a history of verbal back-and-forths, as Acosta confronted Trump during a January 2017 event, and Trump said he was “fake news.”
Trump and Kim met privately on Tuesday, with only translators present, before a bilateral meeting with only a handful of select U.S. and North Korean officials. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was present, as well as Chief of Staff John Kelly and National Security Advisor John Bolton.
Television cameras and the press waited outside the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island in Singapore for President Trump and Kim to come out of their private meeting.
Later, when the two leaders came out, they took a brief walk before standing at a balcony and waving to people.
Reporters – including Acosta – can be heard shouting questions at President Trump. Another reporter asked if Kim Jong Un will denuclearize.
Then Acosta can be heard asking Kim Jong Un: “Will you give up your nuclear weapons, sir?”
The unmistakable voice of CNN’s @Acosta shouting questions at Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un:
“Mr. Kim will you give up your nuclear weapons, sir?” pic.twitter.com/ISQfpvryWZ
— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) June 12, 2018
The question went unanswered, as Trump and Kim began walking away in anticipation of their next meeting.
Trump tells me he has an “excellent relationship” with Kim Jong Un at #TrumpKimSummit pic.twitter.com/pDig6tqHDj
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) June 12, 2018
A few minutes later, Acosta – who is still wearing a mic that is turned on and broadcasting – says: “Hey, if they’re not gonna let me in the fu*king meeting, that’s what happens.”
Later, during President Trump’s press conference in Singapore, the President told Acosta to “be nice” and “respectful” before asking a question.
“Go ahead. Be nice. Be respectful,” Trump told Acosta before taking his question.
After more than four hours of talks, Trump and Kim held a press conference, and the President announced that the two nations had come to an agreement, but he did not give specifics.
The President has “developed a very special bond” with Kim, he also said.
Trump said the North Korean dictator “reaffirmed” his commitment to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
“We’re ready to write a new chapter between our nations,” the President said.
At the press conference after their talks, the President held a copy of the aforementioned agreement between the U.S. and North Korea.
The agreement was not immediately released, but it is said to include a pledge by the U.S. to “provide security guarantees” for North Korea.
“Chairman Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” the agreement says, according to reports.
“President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea have committed to cooperate for the development of new U.S.-DPRK relations and for the promotion of peace, prosperity and security of the Korean Peninsula and of the world,” the agreement says.
As for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Trump said the processed will be started “very, very quickly,” while also reiterating that this process, and the forging of a new relationship between the two nations, will take more meetings and, ultimately, time.
But it was clear after their first meeting – the first time a sitting U.S. President has met with a North Korean leader – was successful.
“Today is the beginning of an arduous process. Our eyes are wide open. But peace is always worth the effort,” Trump said.
