10 Sean Spicer Press Conference Quotes: Read Trump's Press Secretary's Remarks On About Abortion, Climate Change And More

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer held what he called the "first official Trump Administration press briefing" Monday afternoon.
But ahead of the briefing Monday, which last well over an hour, Spicer had already stirred up controversy after he made false claims about the crowd size at President Donald Trump's inauguration last week.
"This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe," he said Saturday night despite evidence showing former President Barack Obama's '09 inauguration had more attendees.
Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway later said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Spicer was simply providing "alternative facts."
Listed below are 10 quotes from the press conference, during which Spicer addressed abortion rights, cooperation with Russia, healthcare, telling falsehoods in his job and more.
1. Opening the press conference with a joke (which didn't land many laughs):
"By the way, just as I get started, I know that [Obama Press Secretary] Josh Earnest was voted the most popular press secretary by the press corps so after reading, checking my twitter feed, I shot Josh an email letting him know that he can rest easy his title is secure for at least the next few days."
.@PressSec opens with a self-deprecating joke, but doesn't get many laughs from reporters pic.twitter.com/WUHhtJWVud
— David Nakamura (@DavidNakamura) January 23, 2017
2. On Trump reinstating ban on federal funds going toward abortions overseas
"He's a pro-life president, he wants to stand up for all Americans, including the unborn."
Donald J. Trump is “a pro-life President. He wants to stand up for the life of the unborn.” pic.twitter.com/XIQ6LxCees
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) January 23, 2017
3. On healthcare
"We have a mandate to make healthcare more accessible."
4. After not directly addressing reports that Russia flew a combat mission with the U.S. in Syria
"[Trump has] been very clear that he's going to work with any country that shares our interests in defeating ISIS."
BREAKING: Russian Defense Ministry says its warplanes have flown first combat mission in Syria with U.S.-led coalition aircraft.
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 23, 2017
Spicer: The president will work with "any country to defeat ISIS." pic.twitter.com/oD8pzw6V6Y
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) January 23, 2017
5. On telling falsehoods as press secretary
"Yes, I believe we have to be honest with the American people... I think sometimes we can disagree with the facts... our intention is never to lie to you."
6. On a reporter, who did issue an apology but not directly to the president and mistakenly reported Trump had removed the Martin Luther King bust from the Oval Office; Spicer previously tweeted "apology accepted" to the reporter, Time's Zeke Miller
"Where was the apology to the president of the United States?"
Apology accepted https://t.co/dYqwRv1p0f
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) January 21, 2017
7. On taking action on climate change action
"He's going to meet with his team and figure out what policies are best for the environment... there's a balance."
Sean Spicer when asked about environment: "There's a balance and we can assure that we are doing things that are smart for the environment."
— FOX59 News (@FOX59) January 23, 2017
8. On the Women's March on Washington, while saying everyone there wasn't necessarily protesting Trump
"[Trump has] a healthy respect for the First Amendment."
9. On whether Trump will end an investigation into Russia's involvement in the 2016 presidential election
"[Trump] hasn't given any indication that he'll stop an investigation of any kind."
Spicer on whether Trump will stop Russian intel probe: "president hasn't given any indication that he'll stop an investigation of any kind"
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) January 23, 2017
10. On the Trump administration releasing documents showing he has left his businesses
"I believe he has."
(Trump staffer Hope Hicks then clarified the documents were "not public" at the time.)
Hope Hicks on paperwork showing Trump has resigned from his companies: it is not public at this time
— Kate Nocera (@KateNocera) January 23, 2017
Spicer incorrectly states Trump has released a document showing he's left his businesses: "I believe he has." pic.twitter.com/NGn0kAAXGU
— Intl. Business Times (@IBTimes) January 23, 2017
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.