Bob Woodward Criticizes CNN Lawsuit Against White House: We're Taking Trump's 'Bait'

[DonViejo]

by Joe DePaolo | Nov 13th, 2018, 12:05 pm

One of the preeminent figures in American journalism is coming out against the rare lawsuit filed by a news organization against the White House.

In comments reported by Dylan Byers of NBC News, Bob Woodward — speaking at the Global Financial Leadership Conference in Naples, FL — came out against CNN’s White House lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday morning. The network is suing to have access restored for its chief White House correspondent, Jim Acosta. But Woodward believes CNN is just taking the “bait” being dangled by President Donald Trump.

“This is a negative,” Woodward said. He added, “Trump is sitting around saying, ‘This is great.’ …When we engage in [Trump’s strategy] we’re taking his bait.”

The longtime Washington Post journalist added, “The remedy [isn’t a lawsuit], it’s more serious reporting about what he’s doing.”

More of Woodward’s comments below, via Byers:

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

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https://www.mediaite.com/online/bob-woodward-criticizes-cnn-lawsuit-against-white-house-were-taking-trumps-bait/

[stopbush]

1. Disagree entirely.

When CNN wins in court it will be a another loss for Loser tRump. Where’s the downside?

Yeah, I’ll take playing tRump’s game if it means he has to deal with Acosta staring back at him from the press pool because a court ordered it.

[fishwax]

2. the lawsuit and more serious reporting are hardly incompatible

[dalton99a]

3. The more lawsuits against Trump, the better.

[HAB911]

8. +++++++++++

[Maru Kitteh]

4. How many reporters will it be okay for Drumpf to ban for asking tough questions, Mr. Woodward?

Screw that noise. The 1st amendment must be protected from his fascist overtures.

[dalton99a]

5. Exactly.

[gratuitous]

7. I agree

Donald Trump is not the assignment editor or the personnel department for CNN.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. The media is in unchartered territory

however I wonder if he thinks another remedy could be to keep replacing reporters in the slot - unless their entire outlet (no matter who) is completely barred.

[Justice]

9. How sad to hear this from a journalist like Woodward used to be

[cvoogt]

10. CNN can do both

Why is it an either/or choice?