Yep, they require the words to be said in a certain way or the denouncement isn't effective. Yesterday's press conference had an exchange like this:

Q: When will the president condemn white supremacists

A: He did it yesterday and [list of times he's condemned them]

Q; You're just reading quotes, does the White House condemn them?

A: Yes, I just did.

Q: You are the spokesperson for the White House. Why aren't you condemning them?

A: Again, I just did.

And then the articles covering the press conference say things like White House refuses to condemn white supremecists.

If it wasn't so serious, I'd say it reminds me of the Zoolander "but why male models" joke.

Yep, they require the words to be said in a certain way or the denouncement isn't effective. Yesterday's press conference had an exchange like this:

Q: When will the president condemn white supremacists

A: He did it yesterday and [list of times he's condemned them]

Q; You're just reading quotes, does the White condemn them?

A: Yes, I just did.

Q: You are the spokesperson for the White House. Why aren't you condemning them?

A: Again, I just did.

And then the articles covering the press conference say things like White House refuses to condemn white supremecists.

If it wasn't so serious, I'd say it reminds me of the Zoolander "but why male models" joke.