Spicer Keeps Deflecting Questions About Secret White House Tapes

“I’ve answered the question over and over again in the same way,” says spokesman in heated exchange

Sean Spicer
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Sean Spicer refused to answer questions about whether or not President Trump is secretly recording private conversations inside the Oval Office during Monday’s press briefing despite the president hinting at taping conversations on Twitter.

“The president has nothing further to add on that,” the White House press secretary said repeatedly.

NBC News’ Hallie Jackson eventually asked, “Why won’t you just explain whether or not there are recordings?”

Spicer fired back, “The president has made it clear what his position is,” before Jackson followed up: “Given that you refuse to confirm or deny any of this, how is any senior official supposed to feel comfortable having a conversation privately with the president?”

“As I’ve said, Hallie, the president has made it clear what his position is,” Spicer said. “I’ve answered the question over and over again in the same way.”

Last week, President Trump warned recently-fired FBI Director James Comey not to leak to the press during a Twitter rant, hinting at “tapes” of their private conversations. On Saturday during an interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, Trump mildly defended Spicer’s position as press secretary, saying, “He’s doing a good job but he gets beat up.”

Spicer, perhaps trying to please his boss, appeared annoyed-yet-subdued and pushed back at reporters on Monday.

Twitter reaction to Spicer’s non-answer on the tapes was quick and harsh:

https://twitter.com/RosieGray/status/864188347052417024

 

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