President Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE's top spokesman was thrust into the spotlight late Saturday after delivering a combative first statement in the White House briefing room, making him a top trending subject on Twitter.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer used his first appearance behind the White House lectern to slam members of the media for their reporting on the size of Trump's inauguration crowds Friday.

"This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe,” Spicer claimed.

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Media outlets quickly noted that photos and video showed fewer people assembled on the National Mall for Trump's inauguration Friday than for former President Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaThe Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon Trump appointees stymie recommendations to boost minority voting: report Obama's first presidential memoir, 'A Promised Land,' set for November release MORE’s inauguration in 2009.

Social media users mocked Spicer for the speech, many turning his "Period" emphasis, into a joke:

From same @PressSec stmt:



1:36 in: “No one had numbers.”



2:25 in: “This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period. — Mike Memoli (@mikememoli) January 21, 2017

“The Phantom Menace was the best Star Wars movie PERIOD.” pic.twitter.com/jv4DPRASvy — Robert McNees (@mcnees) January 22, 2017

"A hot dog is a sandwich. Period." pic.twitter.com/Tcn7IqfrZc — Jessica Misener (@jessmisener) January 22, 2017

"Nickelback are the most respected and admired musical performers of all time. Period." pic.twitter.com/K15AbYr8Ml — southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) January 22, 2017

"With a fork and knife is the only appropriate way to eat pizza. Period" pic.twitter.com/itBhV829uR — Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) January 22, 2017

President Trump's hands are the "largest hands to ever exist, period." - Sean Spicer pic.twitter.com/KtEWtB1KPR — Steve Kim (@Fobwashed) January 22, 2017

Spicer: "also, I do TOO have a girlfriend, but she goes to a different school!" — Alex Baze (@bazecraze) January 21, 2017