The White House essentially issued a "no comment" when asked Friday about whether President Donald Trump has recording devices in the Oval Office and the executive residence.
Trump fired FBI Director James Comey Tuesday, and amid the firestorm of criticism that has followed, he tweeted this Friday morning:
White House press secretary Sean Spicer was asked about the tweet right off the bat during Friday's press briefing.
"I assume you're referring to the tweet," Spicer said when asked whether the president recorded his conversations with Comey in the White House, during which Trump claims the lawman said he was not under investigation regarding claims of Russian collusion. "And I've talked to the president, the president has nothing further to add."
The following exchange then occurred between Spicer and Jeff Mason of Reuters:
"Why did he say that? Why did he tweet that?" Mason asked. "What should we interpret from that the president has 'nothing further to add?'"
Spicer replied: "Are there recording devices in the Oval Office or the residence? As I said for the third time, there is nothing further to add on that."
Mason followed up by asking, "Does he think it is appropriate to threaten someone like Mr. Comey?"
"I don't think that's a threat," Spicer said. "He simply stated a fact, the tweet speaks for itself, I'm moving on."