CNN anchor Jim Acosta firmly expressed his view that former President Donald Trump poses a more significant threat to American democracy than President Joe Biden, challenging remarks made by independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In a recent interview with Mediaite, Acosta responded to Kennedy Jr.’s assertion that Biden could be considered a worse threat to democracy, particularly in light of actions related to speech censorship on social media platforms.
Acosta refuted Kennedy Jr.’s claims as “false,” emphasizing the importance of examining the objective facts of each presidency without bias. He cited an op-ed by the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s editor-in-chief to underscore the impossibility of equating the potential threats to democracy posed by Biden and Trump.
Recalling his experience covering the Capitol riot on January 6 as a CNN correspondent, Acosta highlighted the inaction of Trump during the attack and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, including the infamous call to the Georgia Secretary of State. According to Acosta, these actions objectively and factually demonstrate that Trump is a greater threat to the nation’s democratic fabric than Biden.
Acosta, known for his confrontational exchanges with Trump and his administration, indicated his reluctance to return to the White House briefing room if Trump were to be re-elected. Having served as a White House correspondent for CNN for over seven years, including during the Obama administration, Acosta has since transitioned to a weekend anchor role and was recently moved to weekdays as part of CNN’s programming changes.
His statements reflect a broader debate on the role of journalists in covering political figures and administrations, particularly in an era where the relationship between the media and the presidency has often been contentious. Acosta’s comments aim to shed light on the gravity of actions by political leaders and their impact on the principles of democracy, urging an assessment based on facts rather than partisan perspectives.