The White House defended President Donald Trump as “frank and honest” after he called a reporter “piggy” while being asked aboard Air Force One about the government's files on accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

During a White House press briefing on Nov. 20, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked what Trump meant when he called a reporter “piggy,” referring to an interaction with a journalist that went viral online.

While not directly explaining what the president meant, Leavitt defended Trump and said he was elected because of his “frankness.”

“Look, the president is very frank and honest with everyone in this room. You've all seen it yourself. You've all experienced it yourselves,” Leavitt said. “And I think it's one of the many reasons the American people reelected this president because of his frankness.”

While taking questions from reporters aboard the presidential plane on Nov. 14, Trump was asked several times about Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Trump and Epstein had a long-term friendship but fell out in the 2000s. Democratic lawmakers just days before the press gaggle released emails in which Epstein alleged Trump “knew about the girls.”

During that gaggle, one reporter asked what Epstein meant by the claim.

"I know nothing about that. They would've announced that a long time ago," Trump replied, going on to raise questions about Epstein's relationship with former President Bill Clinton and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.

When the reporter tried to ask a follow-up question after Trump had called on a different journalist, the president scolded the first reporter, pointing a finger toward her and leaning in as he said: "Quiet! Quiet, piggy."

The remarks came days before Congress passed legislation that directs the Justice Department to release all files from the government's investigations into Epstein. Trump went on to sign the legislation on Nov. 19.

Leavitt at the Nov. 20 press briefing said that Trump “gets frustrated with reporters when you lie about him.”

“I think everyone in this room should appreciate the frankness and the openness that you get from President Trump on a near daily basis,” she said.

Contributing: Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did Trump call a reporter a 'piggy'? White House says he’s 'very frank'

Reporting by Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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