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George W. Bush’s former press secretary has sympathy for Sean Spicer
Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer listens to testimony at a Pennsylvania House committee hearing in Harrisburg, Pa., Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007, on legislation that would ban metal bats for players under age 18. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

George W. Bush’s former press secretary has sympathy for Sean Spicer

After White House press secretary Sean Spicer falsely stated that President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony had the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, social media was set ablaze with reporters and Twitter users alike weighing in on the blatant fabrication.

Though most mentions of the incident came in the form of sharp criticism or mockery, former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer had a soft spot for Spicer's position. Fleischer tweeted about it on Saturday, showing empathy toward Spicer and offering a reason for the easily refutable claim he made.

"This is called a statement you're told to make by the President. And you know the President is watching," he said. "So, while press is stunned & can't believe it, Sean is getting praised by his boss & co-workers now. MSM is from Venus. WH is from Mars."

After mentioning Spicer was merely doing his job, Fleischer also defended Spicer's attack on the media for their portrayal of Trump's inauguration attendance. Spicer lambasted reporters on Saturday for comparing photos of the crowd to that of former President Barack Obama's 2009 crowd and "intentionally framing" them to look like there were less people.

Fleischer again defended Spicer's point on Sunday, saying, "Crucial question: what time were the two pictures taken? Some in my feed say pic on right was taken at 9:30 am. I'm sure TV has time code."

 

But Fleischer later clarified while he doesn't think the press was treated fairly, he believes their indignant response is entirely hypocritcal. "Yesterday's presser leaves me uncomfortable and concerned. The press is right 2b upset. But why is MSM more angry over faulty Trump Admin remarks re crowd estimates than when O Admin. blamed Libya attack on YouTube video??"

Fleischer was referring to the 2012 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, when then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, then-U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice, and even Obama himself blamed the terrorist attack on an anti-Muslim YouTube video because it was "offensive."

Fleischer served as White House press secretary under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003.

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