Why is the White House wasting its time with Jim Acosta?

What I have criticized Trump most are his authoritarian gestures before the press: his constant attacks on the media, even though they may be biased and partial. It is the most dangerous thing about the Republican president because, as CNN rightly says, the free press is vital for the healthy functioning of societies. 

This is essential. And every time it is necessary to quote Tocqueville, John Stuart Mill, or Thomas Jefferson himself, who said: “Our freedom depends on the free press, and that can not be limited without losing it.” 

But I cannot defend Jim Acosta. Wednesday’s attacks by Trump were not against “freedom,” the greatest value, but against the crude and discourteous gestures of the CNN journalist.

It was not appropriate behavior for a presidential press conference. He stood up and tried to take the floor, even without the microphone. 

He did not hand it over, he roughly removed it from the woman doing her job. 

Press conferences are for questions, not for contrasting opinions. It was not a debate.