Watch: Donald Trump Blasts CNN's Jim Acosta As 'Terrible, Rude Person' in Wild Press Conference

President Donald Trump and CNN reporter Jim Acosta engaged in a wild verbal tussle during a post-midterm election news conference Wednesday, with Trump blasting Acosta as a "terrible person."

The president was taking questions from reporters after making remarks about a "tremendous success" in the midterms and called on Acosta, who repeatedly asked why Trump had labeled the migrant caravan in Mexico as an invasion of the country.

Trump said he and Acosta had a difference of opinion, and tried to move on to another reporter, but Acosta refused to hand over the microphone. Acosta tried to ask a question about the Russia investigation, but Trump said he was "not concerned because it's a hoax."

Acosta again refused to step down and Trump insulted him and CNN, the network the president has often accused of running "fake news" stories.

"I think you should let me run the country and let you run CNN," Trump said. "CNN should be ashamed for himself having you work for them. You are a rude terrible person."

Acosta persisted even as Trump told him to the put the microphone down. The president then walked away from the podium and Acosta allowed the next reporter, NBC's Peter Alexander, to ask a question.

Acosta has often warred with Trump and White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Prior to his inauguration in January 2017, Trump yelled out against Acosta as "fake news" at a press conference to announce he was turning over control of his company to his children. The then–president elect was angered by CNN reporting about the Trump-Russia dossier that claimed his campaign and Russia had conspired to win the 2016 election as well as other salacious claims.

During White House press briefings, Acosta often pressed Sanders for answers about the president's policies and even asked her why Trump had labeled the media the "enemy of the people."

Earlier in the conference, Trump praised Republicans for increasing their hold of the Senate but also called out some GOP incumbents who did not "embrace" him and lost their respective elections.

Trump said Wednesday he hoped Democrats would be bipartisan and work with his administration, but also reiterated a threat of investigations of the opposition party if it decided to launch new probes.

Republicans lost control of the House but saw their lead in the Senate increase by at least two seats, with three more races still undecided.