ABC reporter Lara Spencer raised eyebrows Tuesday afternoon after she uploaded a photo to social media that appeared to show her sitting in the lap of 2016 GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.
“Can’t beat having the REAL [Donald J. Trump]” on Good Morning America, she wrote on her Instagram account. The real estate mogul appeared to be sitting in the photo, and Spencer appeared to be standing.
Some of her followers did not appear to be as amused with the photo.
“Why r u on his lap? Really? Calm down Lara! ABC has nothing to say about this?” wrote one irate user.
Another wrote, “Very unprofessional of both parties!”
And yet another said, “I would seriously delete this post QUICKLY! You are a professional. Sitting on his lap. Really? I think it’s inappropriate. I’m sorry.”
Spencer did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
Trump appeared Tuesday morning on Good Morning America to discuss his presidential campaign and his slipping in the polls recently to retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson.
“It’s not his thing. He doesn’t have the temperament for it,” Trump said, arguing that Carson doesn’t have what it takes to be the president of the United States. “I think Ben just doesn’t have the experience.”
Trump added of fellow GOP candidate Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., “I’m not a fan. I think he’s overrated.” He also told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos that Russian President Vladimir Putin “would eat [Rubio] alive.”
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UPDATE 11.03.15: Spencer addressed questions about the photo Tuesday evening, maintaining that she did not sit in Trump’s lap.
“Let’s clear this up – I’m standing next to Donald Trump. Said a quick hello and welcomed him to the GMA studio for first time since he announced his candidacy,” she said in a note posted to her Instagram account.
Trump is 6 feet 5 inches tall, according to U.S. News and World Report. By contrast, Spencer is 5 feet 9-1/2 inches.
