Gregory Korte

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest suggested Monday that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump may be using drugs before walking back his comments as a joke.

Earnest was asked about Trump's proposal over the weekend that the candidates be screened for performance-enhancing drugs before Wednesday's debate. Trump said he suspected Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton of being "pumped up" at last week's debate in St. Louis.

"You’re telling me that the candidate who snorted his way through the first two debates is now accusing the other candidate of taking drugs? That's a curious development in the campaign," Earnest said.

Asked if he stood by his remark, Earnest initially replied, "That's my response."

But when challenged by another reporter — who noted the audible gasps in the press briefing room when Earnest made the initial remark — Earnest said he was just having fun. "I was expecting more chuckles. It was probably just my flawed delivery," he said.

Earnest's comments echoed those of former Vermont governor Howard Dean — a physician — who said after the first debate that Trump's sniffing may be a sign of being a drug user.

"That is actually a signature of people who use cocaine,” Dean said. "I’m not suggesting that Trump does, but I’m suggesting we think about it."

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