Former CNN reporter Jim Acosta hit a new low by making a tasteless joke about President Trump’s deceased ex-wife Ivana being buried at his New Jersey golf course, drawing swift condemnation from the White House.
Key Takeaways
- Jim Acosta mocked the burial location of Ivana Trump during an appearance on The Contrarian podcast, suggesting her grave was “by the first hole or the second tee.”
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt officially condemned Acosta’s remarks, calling him a “disgraceful human being.”
- Acosta’s comments came while criticizing President Trump’s immigration policies and questioning why ICE wasn’t raiding Trump properties.
- The former CNN reporter left the network in January after 18 years and has continued his anti-Trump commentary through his Substack and YouTube show.
Acosta’s Disturbing Comments About Ivana Trump
In a shocking display of disrespect, former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta made inappropriate jokes about the burial site of Ivana Trump, who passed away in 2022. During an appearance on The Contrarian podcast, Acosta launched into a tirade questioning President Trump’s immigration policies before making his offensive remark about Ivana Trump’s final resting place at Trump’s Bedminster golf course in New Jersey. The comments have sparked widespread outrage among conservatives and even prompted an official response from the White House.
“How many immigrants has he married? He’s got one buried at his golf course in New Jersey! Isn’t she buried by the first hole or the second tee or something like that?,” said Jim Acosta.
White House Issues Strong Condemnation
The Biden administration, which has now been replaced by the Trump administration, wasted no time in denouncing Acosta’s callous remarks. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement that left no doubt about the administration’s position on Acosta’s conduct. The swift and forceful response underscores how Acosta’s comments crossed a line that even political opponents weren’t willing to tolerate, showing respect for the deceased transcends partisan politics.
“Jim Acosta is a disgraceful human being,” said Karoline Leavitt.
Pattern of Anti-Trump Behavior
Acosta’s offensive joke about Ivana Trump is merely the latest in a long history of antagonistic behavior toward President Trump. Before making his tasteless cemetery joke, Acosta had already been on a rant questioning why Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) wasn’t conducting raids at Trump properties. This commentary came as ICE was conducting operations in Los Angeles that resulted in numerous arrests of illegal immigrants, sparking protests and confrontations with law enforcement in that Democrat-run city.
“Where are the ICE raids at the Trump properties? Could somebody call ICE on the Trump golf course in Virginia? You’re telling me there’s nobody in there that is undocumented or has some kind of squirreliness going on with their paperwork? Give me a break,” said Jim Acosta.
From CNN to Independent Commentary
Acosta departed CNN in January after 18 years with the network, during which time he became known for his confrontational approach to covering the Trump administration. His departure came amid declining ratings at CNN and followed several rounds of layoffs at the liberal news network. Since leaving CNN, Acosta has continued his commentary through “The Jim Acosta Show” on Substack and YouTube, where he maintains his critical stance toward President Trump and conservative policies.
Ivana Trump, who was born in Czechoslovakia, was President Trump’s first wife and the mother of Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric Trump. Her 2022 burial at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster followed a life of success as a businesswoman and model. Despite their divorce in 1992, President Trump had maintained respect for Ivana as the mother of his children, making Acosta’s attempt at humor particularly insensitive and inappropriate by any standard of decency.
