The statement from the multinational consumer goods firm came after the president floated dangerous treatment theories at a White House news conference Thursday evening, and urged administration officials to explore the potential application of disinfectants to Covid-19 patients.

But quizzed on his proposal Friday, Trump falsely claimed he was in fact “asking a question sarcastically to reporters” about the efficacy of disinfectants, “just to see what would happen.”

That explanation contradicted a statement released hours earlier by White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who argued the widespread criticism Trump received for his comments was unwarranted and accused the news media of distorting the president’s message.

“President Trump has repeatedly said that Americans should consult with medical doctors regarding coronavirus treatment, a point that he emphasized again during yesterday’s briefing,” McEnany said. “Leave it to the media to irresponsibly take President Trump out of context and run with negative headlines.”

McEnany’s defense of the president, however, did not reflect the reality of the Trump’s remarks Thursday, which explicitly encouraged further scientific study of the use of disinfectants on those who had fallen ill with the coronavirus.

“And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute. One minute. And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning?” Trump said. “Because you see it gets in the lungs, and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it would be interesting to check that. So you’re going to have to use medical doctors with — but it sounds interesting to me.”

Although the president clearly directed those queries at the briefing to Bill Bryan, the acting undersecretary of Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security, he insisted at a White House event Friday that they were meant for reporters.

“I was asking a sarcastic — and a very sarcastic question to the reporters in the room about disinfectant on the inside. ... That was done in the form of a sarcastic question to the reporters,” Trump said.

Still, the president seemingly struggled to settle on a preferred version of events, saying he actually meant for Bryan to investigate whether using disinfectant on hands would be beneficial and that “Bill has gone back to check that in the laboratory.”

Regardless of the intent behind Trump’s statements, they compelled the American Cleaning Institute, which represents the manufacturers and formulators of various cleaning products, to publish a news release Friday “in response to speculation about the use of disinfectants in or on one’s body.”

“Disinfectants are meant to kill germs or viruses on hard surfaces. Under no circumstances should they ever be used on one’s skin, ingested or injected internally,” the ACI said. “We remind everyone to please use all hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting products as directed in order to ensure safe, effective and intended use of those products.”

Even Surgeon General Jerome Adams appeared to caution against the president’s advice, reminding Americans in a tweet to “PLEASE always talk to your health provider first before administering any treatment/medication to yourself or a loved one.”

“Your safety is paramount, and doctors and nurses ... have years of training to recommend what’s safe and effective,” Adams wrote.

Rep. Will Hurd of Texas was one of the first Republican lawmakers Friday to break with the White House over Trump’s enthusiasm for disinfectants, saying elected officials should “leave the guidance on health to health professionals.”