By Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House on Thursday defended 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.

In the exchange aboard Air Force One last week, which has since gone viral, Trump leaned toward the reporter, pointed his finger and said, “Quiet, piggy” as she pressed him about a recently released Epstein email in which the New York financier claimed Trump “knew about the girls.”

Asked on Thursday about the incident, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said American voters re-elected Trump for his frankness and that reporters should appreciate his openness in answering questions.

“He calls

See Full Page