to her? >> the president refused to take questions about dingell who reminded him she is still in mourning. >> it is still something i am really grieving over. this thanksgiving was really hard. and christmas is harder. >> reporter: white house press secretary stephanie grisham defended the president saying mr. trump was just punching back. but that's not true, the dingells didn't punch first. >> he was just riffing. >> reporter: speaker pelosi said the president's remark revealed his character. >> just because he gets a laugh for saying the cruel things that he says doesn't mean he's funny. it is not funny at all. it is very sad. >> reporter: the president used his appearance in the oval office to introduce jeff van drew who bolted from the democratic party. the president also told reporters he is all but settled for pat cipollone to be his