Spicer Denies Non-Televised WH Briefings Mean Less Robust Press Coverage

President Donald Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer denied accusations that televised White House briefings have been reduced because the president has been so frustrated by them, arguing that he and his staff engage with the press throughout every day.

In an interview on Fox News' "Media Buzz," Spicer said, "We engage with the press corps very robustly from early in the morning 'til late at night. The briefing is one small part of what this extensive staff does."

He also insisted that the off-camera press briefings, to which the White House also sometimes does not allow audio recordings either, have been very substantive.

His comments came following criticism that the briefings have become much less frequent and that the White House has not allowed many of them to be televised, The Hill reported.

CNN's senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta has been particularly critical, saying, "The White House is refusing to answer those questions on camera or in any kind of fashion where we can record the audio… because they want their evasive answers not saved for posterity."

When asked about criticism that the briefings have become almost useless and that and the president is trying to stonewall, Spicer told Fox News, "It's sad that he thinks that just because it doesn't occur on television."

"I think some of these reporters are more interested in their YouTube clips than they are in getting factual news," he added, suggesting, "You look at the number of questions getting asked over and over again just so a reporter can get a clip of themselves saying something or yelling at someone."

• Press, Others Criticize Less-Frequent, Untelevised WH Briefings
• CNN's Acosta Lashes Out Against WH Press Brief Recording Ban