CNN’s Jim Acosta faces backlash as he calls Biden’s 'Morning Joe' segment a ‘page from Trump’s playbook'

WASHINGTON, DC: On the July 8 edition of 'CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta', the anchor expressed shock at President Joe Biden's defiant letter to Congress and his unexpected interview on MSNBC, likening it to a "page out of Donald Trump's playbook."

President Biden has committed to remaining in the race, trying to calm his critics through a series of interviews and an intensified campaign schedule, releasing a letter to Congress on July 8, firmly rejecting calls for his resignation.

The push for President Biden to withdraw from the race has intensified, shifting from media speculation based on anonymous sources to public statements from elected Democrats following the CNN-hosted Biden-Trump debate.

Jim Acosta and Brian Stelter discuss Biden's 'Trumpian' defense of second term bid

In his ongoing effort to counter these calls, the president participated in an extensive phone interview on the July 8 edition of MSNBC's 'Morning Joe'.

Acosta invited former CNN journalist Brian Stelter to discuss President Biden's letter and his appearance on MSNBC.

Both agreed it was a "Trumpian" move, though not necessarily in a negative sense.

Highlighting the same, Acosta further commented on the surprising nature of Biden's challenge, "You probably saw what the president said just a short while ago. How stunned are you that Joe Biden is saying to these nervous Democrats out there, hey, if you’ve got a problem, challenge me at the convention?"

Stelter analysed, "Yeah. I saw one reporter from Semafor saying Biden’s offering a murder-suicide pact. He’s saying, if you try to take me out, you’re going to take all of us out. And I think that is an accurate assessment of this incredible moment we’re in, Jim."

He then noted, "It does make a lot of sense, though, to have Biden working the phones, doing more interviews. This is what people were calling for a week ago. They were saying, why isn’t he working the phones? Why isn’t he calling into television and radio shows?"

Brian Stelter and Jim Acosta analyze Biden's tactics after low-rated ABC interview

Moving on, Stelter noted that Biden's recent ABC interview was low-rated and failed to alter the dynamics of the race or improve Biden's situation.

Acosta drew a comparison to former President Donald Trump's media tactics, noting the strategic shift. "Yeah. I mean, and it was, I mean, it was a little bit of a page out of Donald Trump’s playbook, calling in to a morning show this morning."

Stelter acknowledged the similarity but offered a nuanced perspective, noting, "Yes. I think we should recognize that. I don’t want to use the phrase Trumpian and go down that path as an insult, because it’s not meant always as an insult. It’s a recognition that certain political tactics that worked for Donald Trump might also work for other politicians."

He then highlighted a key element of Biden's strategy: "But yes, Biden did sound a bit Trumpian in this most recent call. He did, by the way, also on ABC, there is an element of resentment and grievance that you and I very well recognize from the former president. And we do know that motivates some voters. It certainly is a way to fire up base voters."

Despite the aggressive stance, Stelter questioned its effectiveness in quelling internal party dissent, saying, "What it probably doesn’t do, though, is change these anxious, nervous, panicked Democrat lawmakers. Whether it’s going to sway them, I think that’s an entirely different question."

Stelter concluded, "But it was so telling Jim to hear Biden say, it’s driving me crazy listening at all this. He’s saying all the columnists and writers calling for his departure, that he doesn’t care about what they’re saying. But he clearly does. And he should pay attention to what they’re saying. They’re making cogent arguments."

Social media backlash ensues after Jim Acosta's stunned reaction

Jim Acosta’s astonishment at Biden’s defiant letter and MSNBC interview sparked a social media backlash.

One viewer said, "Biden - Come get me. Media - Ooh that's so trumpian. JFC."

Another viewer said, "Huh, guess the media should love it then, they do whenever trump goes off."

One viewer noted, "Democratic Nominee: “I’m fit, my economic recovery has been awesome, let’s keep it rolling." Media: “Buhhhh what if you just quit because we think the ratings would be great?”

A follower observed, "Trump's playbook? This is Biden's playbook."

One comment read, "CNN has forgotten their job is to report the news, not shape it."

Another comment read, "Jim Acosta is mad Biden didn’t call him."

"More projection and gaslighting from the fake news. Biden is done," explained one person.

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