Two days later on January 23, 2017, Spicer held his first official White House press conference and took questions from reporters.
When Spicer was asked about attendance at the inauguration, he said that his definition of a viewing audience also included individuals who watched the event on television as well as on social media online.
He claimed that online viewership must have been in the "tens of millions".

Spicer's argument was based on the reported figure of 16.9 million people who began streaming the inauguration on CNN's website.
This argument has been criticized because the 16.9 million streams included people who started the stream and then left.

On February 7, 2017, CNN reported that "President Donald Trump is disappointed in Spicer's performance during the first two weeks of the administration."
Trump was also upset at White House chief of staff Reince Priebus for recommending Spicer, the network reported.
Trump "regrets it every day and blames Priebus", a White House source told CNN.
His role as temporary communications director was filled by Michael Dubke on March 6, 2017.
Two days later on January 23, 2017, Spicer held his first official White House press conference and took questions from reporters. When Spicer was asked about attendance at the inauguration, he said that his definition of a viewing audience also included individuals who watched the event on television as well as on social media online. He claimed that online viewership must have been in the "tens of millions".
Spicer's argument was based on the reported figure of 16.9 million people who began streaming the inauguration on CNN's website. This argument has been criticized because the 16.9 million streams included people who started the stream and then left.
On February 7, 2017, CNN reported that "President Donald Trump is disappointed in Spicer's performance during the first two weeks of the administration." Trump was also upset at White House chief of staff Reince Priebus for recommending Spicer, the network reported. Trump "regrets it every day and blames Priebus", a White House source told CNN. His role as temporary communications director was filled by Michael Dubke on March 6, 2017.
Sean Spicer