The White House on Thursday defended US President Donald Trump after he called a female reporter “piggy” as she questioned him about the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying the president’s remarks reflected his frankness and transparency.

“He calls out fake news when he sees it and gets frustrated with reporters who spread false information,” Leavitt said during a White House briefing, offering no evidence of false information being reported.

“But he also provides unprecedented access to the press and answers questions on a near-daily basis.”