Saturday in Osaka, Japan, the President took some questions from the press after holding a press conference at the G20 summit.
CNN’s Jim Acosta asked if Trump purposely ignored a journalist’s question about the death of Jamal Khashoggi during a meeting with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman because he was afraid of offending him.
“You did seem to be joking there with the Russian president. Are we taking that to be wrong?” Acosta asked. “And what is it with your coziness with some of these dictators and autocrats at these summits? With Mohammad bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, when you were asked about the case of Jamal Khashoggi, you did not respond to that question– were you afraid of offending him on that subject?”
President Trump fired back, “No, not at all. I don’t really care about offending people. I sort of thought you’d know that.”
Then, the Commander in Chief taunted Acosta after promoting his new book.
“And, by the way, congratulations. I understand you have a book. Is it doing well?” Trump asked. (Continued Below)
“It’s doing very well, Mr. President,” Acosta claimed.
“Really?” President Trump asked.
“I’ll get you an autographed copy,” Acosta said. (Continued Below)
“Good. Send it. I want to see it, send me a copy,” President Trump replied.
Although Acosta’s book briefly made the New York Times’ top ten best sellers list last week, it is currently ranked at #1,308 on Amazon, per Breitbart.
Related: Trump Shatters Reporters’ Inquiries Regarding His Meeting With Putin: It’s ‘None Of Your Business’
Acosta continued and brought up the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, saying, “When you were given the opportunity to call Mohammed bin Salman out on that, you did not do it. Did you do it privately, and do you agree that it is despicable for a government to kill a journalist?”
“Yes, I do. I think it’s horrible or anybody else, by the way. But I think it’s horrible,” President Trump said.
“Nobody so far has pointed directly a finger at the future king of Saudi Arabia. I will say I spoke to his father… They’ve been a terrific ally. They’re creating millions of Jobs in this country. They’re ordering not only military equipment but $400 billion worth and actually even more than that over a period of time worth of different things. And with that being said I’m extremely angry and unhappy about a thing like that taking place. But as of this moment, more than 13 people are being prosecuted, and I hear the number is going to be going up. But it’s a good question,” he added. (Video Below)
Watch:
ACOSTA: “Were you afraid of offending him on that subject?”
TRUMP: “No, not at all. I don't really care about offending people. I sort of thought you’d know that. […] I get along with everybody, except you people…” pic.twitter.com/aQyLXBwI8z
— Kyle Morris (@RealKyleMorris) June 29, 2019
President Trump’s full remarks. Full exchange between Trump and Acosta begin at 22:34 into the video:
(Related: Acosta Will Go Commando Next Press Conference After What James Woods Suggested)
