All eyes were on Sean Spicer as he held his first official press briefing from the White House on Monday. Despite concerns that he would keep things short or not take questions — he did both on Saturday — Donald Trump’s press secretary spoke with a diverse group of reporters for more than an hour.
Afterwards, Spicer was praised by the left and the right on Twitter. (RELATED: Sean Spicer To Media Over Credibility Questions: ‘It’s a Two-Way Street’)
Sean Spicer is right to hammer away on the mistake over the MLK Jr. bust.
— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) January 23, 2017
A positive step after Saturday's unnerving debacle. https://t.co/xH7w98cYge
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) January 23, 2017
Spicer seems 1) more broadly conversant with policy than most press secretaries 2) more willing to freely discuss policy than O flacks
— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) January 23, 2017
Takeaway: on Saturday Spicer's attitude signaled it would be impossible for press to cover the WH — fears allayed somewhat today
— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) January 23, 2017
Totally agree. Sean handled a very difficult situation with aplomb today. https://t.co/BB1nps3wJm
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) January 23, 2017
Props to Spicer for taking questions from reporters all over this room.
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) January 23, 2017
@rgm_l Why is it bad to appreciate Spicer taking ?s from a diversity of news outlets? Doesn't happen often and allows diversity of ?s
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) January 23, 2017
Today @PressSec doing a very solid job of turning the page to actions and messaging. Strong! @realDonaldTrump
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) January 23, 2017
Skype seats for journos in briefing room is smart! @PressSec
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) January 23, 2017
Prediction: The media will endlessly focus on @PressSec repeating comments on "most watched" inauguration. Little on actual agenda.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) January 23, 2017
To be fair: Spicer doing a better job and his suit fits better
— Daphne Brogdon (@DaphBrog) January 23, 2017
Bravo Zulu to my friend Sean Spicer. That was the @seanspicer I know and respect today. Well done @PressSec
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) January 23, 2017
To be fair, Sean Spicer has a damn hard job. To be fair, it *should* be a damn hard job. #Pressconference
— Celeste Katz (@CelesteKatzNYC) January 23, 2017
Spicer keeping his cool-actually doing a pretty good job, but u just know he's gonna end this thing & do a Beckham- punch a hole in the wall
— Jimmy Roberts (@JimmyRobertsNBC) January 23, 2017
Spicer is doing a good job first time out.
— Tom Rogan (@TomRtweets) January 23, 2017
Sean Spicer did a fine job today on his first full day as WH spox. He is a good man. He was tough, fair, cordial, professional.
— Ralph Reed (@ralphreed) January 23, 2017
Think Spicer did well, tbh. Much better than Saturday, anyway.
— josh (@HoopPlusTheHarm) January 23, 2017
And in fairness, Spicer was better informed than many journalists asking questions. Spicer asked a few questions, they didn't have answers.
— josh (@HoopPlusTheHarm) January 23, 2017
Sean Spicer started off nervously, but after the Jon Karl question he really picked up and is doing better
— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) January 23, 2017
Much better performance by @seanspicer. He's probably right too – total Trump inauguration audience very likely to be an all-time record.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 23, 2017
Former George W. Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer says Sean Spicer's performance was "excellent" https://t.co/ORe9oC26BY pic.twitter.com/4NOXqOFy10
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 23, 2017
Note: today Spicer looked sharp in navy suit w/ pocket square. Big departure from grey suit & loosened tie on Sat. Trump cares about visuals
— Gabriel Sherman (@gabrielsherman) January 23, 2017
Sean Spicer did quite a bit to gain back his own credibility today. Relaxed, bantering, stayed at podium longer than needed. Good 1st step.
— Carmichael Dave (@CarmichaelDave) January 23, 2017
“Impressive and business like on the part of Spicer” – MSNBC’s Chris Matthews says
— Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) January 24, 2017