The White House has come under criticism after launching a personal attack on CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes following a question she put to President Donald Trump about his relationship with his executive assistant, Natalie Harp.
The confrontation occurred on Monday during an Oval Office event, when Holmes asked Trump to respond to comments by Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia concerning Harp.
Ossoff had criticised Trump during a campaign appearance, suggesting that the president was more interested in travelling with Harp and pursuing plans for a White House ballroom than carrying out his presidential responsibilities.
Trump responded by attacking Ossoff rather than directly addressing the substance of the question, calling the senator a “Pee-wee Herman look-alike”.
The president later became angry when Holmes asked another question concerning US military exercises with South Korea and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
“Quiet. Quiet. Quiet. You’re very disrespectful,” Trump told Holmes before asking which organisation she represented.
“I’m with CNN,” Holmes replied.
“Fake news. You’re fake news. You’re loud, a loud, boisterous person. You’re fake news. Be quiet, be quiet, be quiet. You’re a fake reporter, and you report fake news,” Trump said.
The White House’s Rapid Response account subsequently escalated the dispute by posting a personal attack against Holmes on social media.
The post criticised her for asking about Ossoff’s comments and went further by referring to her children, saying they would one day encounter the question and be “sickened and embarrassed” by what their mother had asked.
CNN strongly defended Holmes, describing her as one of its most respected and accomplished journalists covering the White House.
The network said Holmes had simply carried out her responsibility by asking the president a “tough, relevant, and newsworthy question” on behalf of the American people.
“Public officials are free to challenge reporting they disagree with, but personal attacks on journalists for asking questions are beneath the office and inconsistent with the principles of a free press,” CNN said.
