White House press secretary Josh Earnest blamed his “flawed delivery” after a joke about Donald Trump “snorting” drugs fell flat during a press briefing on Monday.

Mr. Earnest was asked for the White House’s response to Mr. Trump’s demand that Hillary Clinton be drug-tested before the next presidential debate.

“So you’re telling me that the candidate who snorted his way through the first two debates is accusing the other candidate of taking drugs? That’s a curious development in the campaign,” Mr. Earnest said, Mediaite reported.

“That’s your response?” the reporter asked.

“That’s my response,” Mr. Earnest said.

Another reporter asked him if he meant to suggest that Mr. Trump’s sniffling was related to drug use.

“Not at all,” Mr. Earnest replied. “Just trying to have a little fun.”

“You guys are so serious today,” he said to laughter. “I was expecting more chuckles. It’s probably my flawed delivery.”

The media became fascinated with Mr. Trump’s constant sniffling during the first and second presidential debates, fueling unsubstantiated rumors about the possibility of past cocaine use.

Former Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean said Mr. Trump’s “sniffling,” “grandiosity” and “delusions” signaled that the business mogul was or could still be a “coke user.”

“Star Wars” actress Carrie Fisher, a recovering drug addict and self-described “expert” on the subject, said Mr. Trump’s sniffling was “absolutely” due to cocaine use.

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