Spicer Apologizes for Hitler Gaffe

Sean Spicer has had another try at walking back his comments about Hitler not using chemical weapons—and this time, he didn't use the phrase "Holocaust centers." The White House press secretary told CNN's Wolf Blitzer Tuesday evening that he was "trying to make a point about the heinous acts that Assad had made against his own people last week." "Frankly, I mistakenly made an inappropriate and insensitive reference to the Holocaust, for which there is no comparison," Spicer said. "And for that I apologize. It was a mistake to do that." Spicer later confirmed that he had spoken to GOP donor Sheldon Adelson's top political adviser in a "private conversation" after the casino magnate's office reached out to him.

Spicer's earlier remarks were strongly condemned by Jewish groups, with the Anne Frank Center calling for him to be fired for "engaging in Holocaust denial"—"on Passover no less," the Hill reports. The remarks were also condemned by Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who called for President Trump to immediately fire Spicer and disavow his statements, reports the Guardian. "Hitler used chemical weapons. Period. No amount of clarification or walking back from the press secretary's office should be accepted for Spicer’s horrific mistake," the National Jewish Democratic Council said in a statement. (More Sean Spicer stories.)