Spicer: ‘Of course’ I regret arguing with reporters over Trump inauguration crowd size

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer said he regrets his fiery exchange with reporters in the White House briefing following President Trump’s inauguration.

“Of course I do, absolutely,” Spicer told The New York Times when asked if he regretted his assertion that the size of the crowd at Trump’s inauguration was the largest ever.

Spicer made a surprise appearance at Sunday night’s Emmy Awards to make fun of that exchange with reporters.

“This will be the largest audience to witness an Emmys, period, both in-person and around the world,” Spicer said Sunday.

{mosads}Spicer told the Times he didn’t tell Trump or anyone in the White House about his appearance and said he hopes Trump wasn’t offended by the skit.

“This was an attempt to poke a little fun at myself and add a little bit of levity to the event,” Spicer told the Times.

The former press secretary’s appearance on the awards show was heavily criticized following the ceremony. Actor Zach Braff called Spicer an “evil, opportunistic liar,” and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said Spicer “shouldn’t be treated like a celebrity.”

Spicer resigned from his position as press secretary in August, calling his time in the White House “the honor of a lifetime.”