CNN reporter Jim Acosta – chastised by President-elect Donald Trump last week for doggedly trying to ask a question at a news conference – has the "complete support" of the network.
Incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer has repeatedly called for Acosta to apologize, and warned if the same behavior occurs again at a future press conference, "I will have you removed."
There has been no apology, however, and CNN stood up Monday for Acosta.
"Being persistent and asking tough questions is his job, and he has our complete support," the network said in a statement.
At last Wednesday's news conference, Trump called CNN a "terrible" organization when Acosta tried to ask him a question – just a day after the network reported Trump had been briefed on allegations Russia has compromising information about the president-elect.
When Acosta tried to interject, Trump scolded him for being rude – and flatly refused "to give you a question; you are fake news."
Spicer denied the charge he threatened to boot Acosta from the Wednesday briefing.
"I think Jim Acosta has a very, very false recollection of the facts," Spicer told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" on Thursday.
"He verbally went after the president of the United States, was aggressive with him, inappropriate, rude, disrespectful to say the least. He shouted down a well-respected, long-time journalist who was asking a question."
CNN, in its statement, pushed back.
"As we have learned many times, just because Sean Spicer says something doesn't make it true," the network statement said. "Jim Acosta is a veteran reporter with the utmost integrity and extensive experience in covering both the White House and the President-elect."