The White House has suspended a CNN reporter's press pass after he was involved in a heated confrontation with US President Donald Trump.

During the verbal spat, an angry Donald Trump refused to answer legitimate questions put to him by Jim Acosta, shouting: "That's enough!"

Trump then accused the reporter of being a “rude, terrible person" after he refused his "order" to sit down.

In that exchange, Donald Trump then also added: "You shouldn’t be working for CNN. The way you treat Sarah Sanders is horrible. The way you treat other people is horrible. You shouldn’t treat people that way.”

A spokesperson for the White House, Sarah Sanders said: “The White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice."

During the argument, a White House intern attempted to take the microphone off the CNN man. The White House now claims that the reporter placed his hands on the intern as she attempted to take back the microphone.

Sarah Sanders has accused Jim Acosta of misconduct during the heated exchange. She claimed: “We will, however, never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable."

But Jim Acosta has dismissed the misconduct allegations, stating: "This is a lie."

And in their own statement, CNN said that “Secretary Sanders lied” and said that the suspension of the press pass suspension was “done in retaliation for challenging questions”.

They added that their correspondent Sanders “provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened".

CNN added: “This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better. Jim Acosta has our full support.”

CNN also stated: “While President Trump has made it clear he does not respect a free press, he has a sworn obligation to protect it. A free press is vital to democracy, and we stand behind Jim Acosta and his fellow journalists everywhere.”

The US Secret Service just asked for my credential to enter the WH. As I told the officer, I don’t blame him. I know he’s just doing his job. (Sorry this video is not rightside up) pic.twitter.com/juQeuj3B9R

— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) November 8, 2018

The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) released a statement saying it “strongly objects to the Trump Administration’s decision to use US Secret Service security credentials as a tool to punish a reporter with whom it has a difficult relationship. Revoking access to the White House complex is a reaction out of line to the purported offence and is unacceptable”.

The WHCA is now calling on the White House to “immediately reverse this weak and misguided action”.

CNN’s response to @realDonaldTrump’s press conference today: pic.twitter.com/tJ3nZDnYwO

— CNN Communications (@CNNPR) November 7, 2018