Amid a Trump administration communications team shakeup that saw the resignation of communications director Mike Dubke on Tuesday morning, Sean Spicer took to the press podium for the first time in two weeks — following speculation of his own role in the White House being diminished. One would think that the habitually beleaguered press secretary might come back bushy-tailed and relaxed after his international trip with President Trump, but it quickly became apparent that was not going to be the case.
An irritated and visibly sweating Spicer managed to answer questions from reporters for about 15 minutes regarding Jared Kushner’s role in the Russian probe, climate change, and fake news before abruptly closing down the press briefing and bolting from the room, which is becoming all too common an occurrence for him.
It was the fake news line of questioning in particular that really set him off, especially when asked to name a so-called “fake news” item, Spicer cited a tweet from a BBC reporter who claimed that Trump had disrespected the Italian prime minister during the G7 summit in Sicily. When pressed by the reporter, who noted that nowhere did the contents of the tweet appear in print, Spicer fired back, “It’s true. You did it. That is just fake,” moments before shutting down the briefing.
Likewise, Spicer didn’t handle an earlier question well when asked whether or not Trump has yet made a decision on the Paris climate accord, and if he even believes that human activity is contributing to the warming of the climate in the first place. “Honestly, I haven’t asked him,” Spicer responded. “I can get back to you on that.”
Once again, Spicer’s performance quickly became fodder on Twitter by those mocking this latest train wreck of a press briefing:
sean spicer leaves the briefing room pic.twitter.com/qxw3WzOihe
— David Mack (@davidmackau) May 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/pajiba/status/869627938559451136
https://twitter.com/Home_Halfway/status/869629855117213696
This is Sean Spicer’s most embarrassing press conference since his first one and somehow the most embarrassing moment of MY life? Weird.
— Paul F. Tompkins (@PFTompkins) May 30, 2017
Everyone's Reaction when Sean Spicer said it was the best week ever pic.twitter.com/xB3322Ee5t
— D.T. (@Darlene26811165) May 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/battletested5/status/869624664401862656
https://twitter.com/mynameisNegan/status/869630798978310144
(Trump takes a dump in Sean Spicer's mouth)
SPICER: "Ah think da prasidant's stattment thpeaks fah itself."— Jess Dweck (@TheDweck) May 30, 2017
Live look at Sean Spicer trying to defend Trump's "fake news" claims at this #PressBriefing: pic.twitter.com/JtipTMUMkY
— TrumpsTaxes (@TrumpsTaxes) May 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/sarahbuya4/status/869617839832932353
Sean Spicer tonight when he goes home. pic.twitter.com/delmTUiSUQ
— Jeff Barrett (@BarrettAll) May 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/DwayneLGill/status/869641426107322369
#TheCrackUpHour "Sean Spicer"😖Has anyone every seen a Press Briefings, like this? 😖Spicer was he Memorializing? Trump, with #FantasticLies. pic.twitter.com/skhUmXm4oj
— Joyeta E.Anderson (@joyeta_e) May 30, 2017
If there’s anything good to come out of this administration…
The face I make when I see Sean Spicer is trending… pic.twitter.com/Vuo0m2zEr7
— Setoiyo- DEBUT COMEDY ALBUM OUT NOW! Peep in bio! (@Setoiyo1) May 30, 2017