WASHINGTON (TNND) -- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a Wall Street Journal reporter to "get a better sense of humor" after the journalist asked about comments President Donald Trump made about how diet soda might have cancer-fighting properties because it kills grass.
Leavitt said it's not the first time she's heard Trump make what she described as a joke.
"As we all know in this room, I think you know the president has a very good sense of humor," Leavitt said on Wednesday during the Q & A segment of an unrelated news conference.
"It's one of his most under reported characteristics, I would say. I have heard him tell this joke before," she added. "I think the Wall Street Journal should get a better sense of humor."
The news comes a few days after Dr. Mehmet Oz made an appearance on the podcast "Triggered with Donald Trump Jr." Oz told the president's eldest son that Trump has jokingly said diet soda could be beneficial.
"Your dad argues that diet soda is good for him because it kills grass -- if poured on grass -- so, therefore, it must kill cancer cells inside the body," Oz said during Monday's episode of the podcast.
Oz then described a recent interaction with the president.
"You know, we were on Air Force One the other day and I walk in there because he wants to talk about something and he's got an orange soft drink on his desk," Oz said of the president.
"And I say, 'Are you kidding me?' So, he starts to sheepishly grin and he goes, 'You know, 'This stuff's good for me. It kills cancer cells.' And then he tells me, 'It's fresh-squeezed, so how bad could it be for you?'" Oz added.
Trump's son said maybe his father, who is 79 years old, "is on to something," as he doesn't know many men pushing 80 who have the president's energy, recall, and stamina.
"Is he just the exception that proves the rule?" Donald Jr. said. "I'm not saying we've got to adapt this, but you know, maybe there's something there because, again,I see a lot of guys at 80 who can't think or walk."
Oz then said he recalled interviewing Trump ahead of the 2016 election, with Trump sharing his medical reports with him.
"He was in perfect health," Oz said. "I mean, his testosterone, quite frankly, was through the roof -- not taking any supplements. And so, as I went through it, it's uncommon to see that healthy a list of labs of anybody, even if they are eating non-healthy foods."
The comments drew attention and criticism as federal health officials continue to emphasize reducing consumption of highly-processed foods and sugary drinks. Medical experts have long said there is no scientific evidence that diet soda can prevent or treat cancer.
Oz, a former television personality who now leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has advocated for healthier eating habits, including a diet focused on whole foods.