White House Calls Jim Acosta Disgraceful Over Joke About Trump Ex-Wife

Former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta sparked controversy after making a joke about President Donald Trump's late ex-wife, Ivana Trump, during a podcast episode criticizing immigration policies. Acosta mocked Trump's stance on immigration by highlighting his marriages to immigrants, specifically referencing Ivana, who was buried at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. His comments, which included a remark about immigrants "doing the jobs that Americans don’t want to do," drew laughter from fellow podcast guests but provoked a strong backlash. The White House, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, condemned Acosta's remarks, calling him a "disgraceful human being" and criticizing the tone as mean-spirited beyond political banter. Ivana Trump, a Czech immigrant and mother of Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric Trump, passed away in 2022 and her burial site has previously been a topic of scrutiny. The incident unfolded amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement, including ICE raids in Los Angeles.