“I want to thank a lot of the news organizations here today,” Trump said during a news conference in New York. “They came out so strongly against that fake news.”

Trump’s comments are surprising for a politician who has repeatedly railed against the news media during his presidential campaign and the transition period.

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He is holding his first formal news conference in 168 days.

Trump’s comments came after his incoming press secretary, Sean Spicer, scolded BuzzFeed and CNN for reporting on the allegations.

“I have great respect for the news and great respect for freedom of the press and all of that, but I will tell you that there were some news organizations with all that was just said that were so professional, so incredibly professional that I’ve just gone up a notch as to what I think of you.”

Trump also shocked journalists by suggesting that U.S. intelligence agencies may have leaked the contents of the report to the media.

"That nonsense that was released by maybe the intelligence agencies, but who knows, maybe the intelligence agencies, which would be a tremendous blot on their record if they in fact did that," he said. "A tremendous blot."