Donald Trump’s incoming press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters on Thursday that the White House press corps will continue to work out of the West Wing, “for now.”
“As you can tell by today, there is a tremendous interest, frankly an unprecedented interest in covering this president,” Spicer told reporters in an on-camera news conference. “The demand and enthusiasm to understand the agenda that he has and that what he’s going to be doing is frankly unprecedented.”
He said that briefings from the White House would likely be “cramped” as a result of the demand for coverage.
Trump gave the same excuse in an interview broadcast Wednesday where he said there are “just too many” reporters to fit into the briefing room and that his administration would have to “pick the people” in attendance.
Spicer also encouraged reporters to visit Trump’s new hotel in Washington, D.C., despite reports that the hotel is turning away members of the press in the week leading up to the President-elect’s inauguration.
After the conference, Spicer said that “contrary to rumors” the hotel is open to the public including the press, according to a report by Politico.
Multiple reporters were quick to counter him.
Trump hotel not just banning media at this point-saying admission only to guests or people with reservations. pic.twitter.com/UqK837SAZG
— Carrie Levine (@levinecarrie) January 19, 2017
Addendum: called and was told Trump hotel closed to non-guest dining reservations until after Saturday.
— Carrie Levine (@levinecarrie) January 19, 2017
Further irony of Trump spokesman answering question about Trump hotel by saying press should visit, we’re banned from entering it this week. https://t.co/99RLVCcfdt
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) January 19, 2017
Those weren’t “rumors.” Reporters were actually turned away. https://t.co/kSiJygGtvH
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) January 19, 2017
Katy Tur is Going to be banned. She asked question about Trump showing either his taxes or what he owes overseas banks because basically most Americans want to know. 74%. Spicer? Asked and answered!
Awards for all who endured this 5 Hour Energy-pumped exercise. I could only take a few seconds of the amped schnauzer-like yapping.
According to MSNBC, yersterday, she didn’t get the White House slot:
Curious…
Sorry, Sean. Reporters have decided to visit the Dump Hotel in NYC instead.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1233997690003099/
Indeed. Hallie was definitely in the studio today.