President-elect Donald Trump opened his first press conference since the election by denying the report released by BuzzFeed on Tuesday, calling it a “tremendous blot” on the intelligence community if it had been released as part of an agenda against him. Trump also called BuzzFeed a “failing pile of garbage” when asked to comment further on the published documents.

The president-elect suggested that the document had been leaked to the press “maybe by the intelligence agencies, who knows, but maybe the intelligence agencies, which would be a tremendous blot if they did that… because it never should have been written and certainly never should have been released.”

Also Read: Donald Trump on 'Golden Showers' Claim: Nope, I'm a Germaphobe

Trump also thanked members of the media who criticized the publishing of the report, which was first reported by CNN and later published in full by BuzzFeed. The dossier, which was compiled by an individual claiming to be a British intelligence official and which has still not been verified, alleges that the Russian government is withholding damaging financial and personal information about the president-elect. New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet criticized BuzzFeed, saying NYT would not have released the “totally unsubstantiated” report.

“I just want to compliment many of the people in the room,” Trump said. “I have great respect for the news and great respect for freedom of the press and all of that, but I will tell you that there were some news organizations, with all that was just said, that were so professional, so incredibly professional, and I’ve just gone up a notch as to what I think of you.”

Also Read: Donald Trump Compares America to Nazi Germany, Twitter Goes Wild

The press conference opened with a statement from incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who said that it was “frankly outrageous and highly irresponsible” for the website to publish the report days before the inauguration. Spicer denied the report’s claim that major members of Trump’s camp, including former campaign manager Paul Manafort, had been in contact with the Russian government.

Spicer also denied the claim that ex-Trump adviser Carter Page had ties to the Kremlin, saying that Page is “an individual who the president-elect does not know and was put on notice months ago by the campaign.”

But Page was specifically named by Trump as a member of his foreign policy team, as relayed in a March interview with the Washington Post editorial board. Later, in September, Page told the Post that he was taking a leave of absence from his work with the Trump campaign after leading Democrats including Sen. Harry Reid accused him of meeting with “highly-sanctioned individuals” in Russian president Vladimir Putin’s administration.

23 Stars Definitely Not Performing at Trump Inauguration (Updating Photos)

Donald Trump is so unpopular with Hollywood that two talent wranglers told TheWrap they were offered ambassadorships in exchange for booking top singers. Here are some artists who have said publicly they wouldn't perform for the occasion.
GARTH BROOKS

He may have quibbled when confronted by TMZ, but no, Garth Brooks will not be performing at the inauguration.
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IDINA MENZEL

The "Wicked" star got a little snarky when asked to comment on Donald Trump having trouble locking down Inauguration performers, telling Vanity Fair, "It's karma, baby."
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THE CHAINSMOKERS

A rumor that turned out to be a joke from a journalist aside, no, the DJ duo will not be performing.
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THE DIXIE CHICKS

Their manager, Simon Renshaw, told TheWrap that their hit "Not Ready to Make Nice" should be the anthem of every entertainer dealing with Trump. He said of anyone who agrees to perform: “I hope that the check that they get is in the nine figures. Because it’s probably the last check they’re ever going to get.”
ELTON JOHN

Despite a Trump transition team member claiming on the BBC that the "Tiny Dancer" singer would be performing at a concert on the Mall to celebrate "the first American president in U.S. history that enters the White House with a pro-gay rights stance," nope. Not true.
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ANDREA BOCELLI

The operatic Italian tenor declined an offer to perform at the inaugural events, PageSix reported, fearing a backlash among his fans.
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CELINE DION

The French Canadian hit-maker declined an approach from Trump ally and Las Vegas hotelier Steve Wynn to perform, TheWrap reported.
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KANYE WEST

The hip-hop giant may have met with the president-elect (and put off his own presidential bid until at least 2024) but Tom Barrack, head of Trump's inaugural committee, told CNN, "He is not performing at the inauguration."
ERIC McCORMACK

The "Passengers" and "Will & Grace" star and singer said he'd be willing to perform -- but only after "a lobotomy."
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ICE-T

“I just got call to perform at the Inauguration … I didn’t pick up and Blocked the number,” the rapper tweeted. Trump's team declined to confirm or deny.
KISS

Gene Simmons told TMZ in December that the band had been approached about performing but declined -- in part because they would be touring in Europe at that time.
ADAM LAMBERT

Former "American Idol" finalist and Queen frontman told the BBC that he'd pass on playing the inauguration no matter how big the check that was offered. "I don't think I would take the money on that one," he told the BBC. "I don't think I'd be endorsing that."
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MICHAEL RAPPAPORT

The actor and comedian will not only not perform, he also has strong words for anyone who does, saying they "should be ashamed of themselves."
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ALEX WOLFF
The "Patriot's Day" actor, who is also in a band with his brother Nat Wolff, did not mince words when asked if he would perform: "I’m not going to elaborate further because I know when to be tight-lipped, but no f---ing way."
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CHARLOTTE CHURCH

The Welsh singer-songwriter tweeted her decline of an invitation to perform on January 10, saying "a simple Internet search would show I think you're a tyrant. Bye."
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ISSA RAE

The HBO "Insecure" creator and star said in December she would have to be "'Weekend at Bernie'ed" to show up to Trump's inauguration.
TheWrap
REBECCA FERGUSON

The British pop star also declined a Trump inauguration -- though she said she'd consider accepting if she was allowed to perform Billie Holiday's classic protest song "Strange Fruit."
MOBY

The DJ announced on Instagram on January 9 that he had been approached to perform, and he declined, saying: "I guess I’d DJ at an inaugural ball if as payment #trump released his tax returns."
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JAN CHAMBERLIN

This Mormon Tabernacle Choir member made waves in late December by quitting the group rather than perform at the inauguration.
CNN
FRANK SINATRA

Were the late iconic singer still alive today, he "would never support a bigot" by performing at Trump's inauguration, according to his daughter Nancy.
Frank Sinatra Enterprises
PAUL ANKA

After agreeing to perform at the inauguration, the legendary singer backed out of plans to perform “My Way” for President-elect Donald Trump. Anka insisted the decision is not out of protest.
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R KELLY

Then R&B star was forced to deny reports that he would performing at the inaugural festivities tweeting: “Despite the rumors circulating online, R. Kelly will not be performing at this years [sic] inauguration ceremony,” the “I Believe I Can Fly” singer tweeted Thursday night. “Any reports stating otherwise are simply untrue.”

“End. Of. Story.,” Kelly added.
JENNIFER HOLLIDAY

After confirming her participation, Holliday eventually pulled out, calling the decision to perform a “lapse in judgement.”
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Performers including Garth Brooks, Celine Dion and The Chainsmokers have made other plans for January 20

Donald Trump is so unpopular with Hollywood that two talent wranglers told TheWrap they were offered ambassadorships in exchange for booking top singers. Here are some artists who have said publicly they wouldn't perform for the occasion.

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