Spicer defends Trump's golf habits, saying he is ‘entitled to a bit of privacy'

White House press secretary Sean Spicer defended President Donald Trump’s penchant for taking work to his personal golf clubs, saying that Trump is “entitled to a bit of privacy” when conducting meetings.

“It’s the same reason he can have lunch or dinner with somebody,” Spicer told Yahoo White House correspondent Hunter Walker when asked why Trump had not provided more information about the details of the meetings conducted on the golf course. “The president is entitled to a bit of privacy at this point, which we’ve always agreed to. We bring the protective pool, but the president is entitled to a bit of privacy as well.”


Walker also asked Spicer about the 10 trips Trump has made to play golf during his presidency so far, something that Trump criticized former President Barack Obama for when Obama was in office. Spicer defended Trump, and said that the president has talked about “how you use the game of golf” for diplomatic ends.

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“You saw him utilize this as an opportunity with Prime Minister Abe to help foster a deeper relationship in southeast Asia, in Asia rather, and have a growing relationship that’s going to help U.S. interests,” Spicer said.

“On a couple of occasions he’s actually conducted meetings there, he’s had phone calls,” Spicer added. “Just because he heads there doesn’t mean that’s what’s happening.”

What happened during the White House press briefing POLITICO's recap of the top moments of the White House press briefing on Monday.