Following hair-raising statements about the importance of rape and incest, Iowa Rep. Steve King is insisting he was misquoted by the media, and demanding an apology from all sides. King—perhaps best known for defending the term “white supremacist” and tweeting “our civilization” cannot be restored “with somebody else’s babies”—was recently quoted by the Des Moines Register saying, “What if we went back through all the family trees and just pulled out anyone who was a product of rape or incest? Would there be any population of the world left if we did that?” The Iowa congressman was roundly condemned by Democrats and GOP alike—even President Trump acknowledged “Certainly it wasn’t a good statement”—but predictably made himself the victim during a recent town hall.

Claiming the quote made headlines due to a “very active and vibrant left-wing media,” King went on to assert that Iowans understood he was misquoted. “When we have a national, viral attack that comes down on a misquote and it's absolutely proven, all the folks that did that attack, I think they owe me an apology,” he stated. “Including my own leadership. I don't expect that's going to happen because egos are a little too strong in this business.”

That said, CNN notes that King’s claim the Des Moines Register corrected his quote referred to a line about members of Congress co-sponsoring his legislation, not the “rape and incest” quote his constituent asked about. King nonetheless reiterated his defense of a federal ban he proposed prohibiting abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, without exceptions for rape and incest. “I did not allow exceptions for rape and incest in that bill because those babies that are born as a product of those activities are as precious as you are or any of my grandchildren are,” he said.

Another tense exchange from the town hall saw King called on defend past statements “that are kind of offensive or demeaning towards immigrants”—recounted by a constituent who identified himself as an immigrant—though King again suggested he’d been misquoted, and added “I think you're reading some of this in Spanish.” If calls for his resignation, the loss of committee assignments or King’s subsequent town hall—with only two people in attendance—offer any indication, the GOP hardliner’s reach may be waning after all.