Sean Spicer attacks New York Times for 'made up' story criticising Donald Trump's tweets

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White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has reacted angrily to an article which suggested that he was one of a number of Donald Trump's staff that were getting tired of defending him.

Focusing largely on the US leader's use of Twitter, The New York Times claimed that Mr Trump's use of the social media site was potentially damaging his administration and making it harder for his staff to defend him.

Mr Spicer was named as one member of a number of staff that were aggravated by having to defend the President's outbursts.

The President's claim that his predecessor Barack Obama had “wiretapped” Trump Tower – subsequently denied by FBI director James Comey – was cited as a prime example. Mr Spicer has continued to defend the claims.

The Times story also claimed “the President insists on dealing with crises by creating new ones” – much to the irritation of his staff, who reportedly “often feel like human shields”.

The claims were attributed to a number of anonymous and on-the-record sources.

The article's writer, Glenn Thrush, tweeted a link to the story, along with the message: “Even Spicer has had it with Trump's tweets.”

The piece included a denial from the press secretary about Mr Trump's tweets making his job harder. He told the newspaper: "It's just not true."

But after it was published, Mr Spicer took to Twitter himself.

“Just when you thought The New York Times couldn't go lower, they make up this,” he wrote.

The President's administration has persistently feuded with the media, and Mr Trump likes to describe that newspaper as, "failing".

He has also singled out The Washington Post and broadcasters, CNN and NBC News for criticism.

Towing his leader's line, Mr Spicer has also criticised news outlets for some of their coverage, at one point offering to help write headlines on the Times’.

“I think your headlines are bad," Mr Spicer told one of its journalists.

"I'd be glad to rewrite if you're looking for some help. Our services are at the The New York Times' disposal if it comes to writing headlines. And we can probably do a couple of things on stories, too, if you're willing to go there."