"While I won't comment on materials we share with the president, this is not accurate on many levels," Mr Spicer said of Vice's story. He did not elaborate on the alleged inaccuracies.
Mr Trump does appear to care deeply about how he is perceived. The president frequently, publicly complains about negative media coverage, and has a habit of thanking TV hosts on Twitter when they say nice things about him - his favourite show being the Fox News morning program Fox and Friends.
He refers to media outlets he doesn't like, such as CNN, the Washington Post and New York Times, as "fake news".
Mr Trump tends to seek out praise when he can as well. The election campaign ended almost a year ago, but the president still frequently holds political rallies, where he basks in the adulation of his supporters.
Notably, his first Cabinet meeting at the White House in June turned into a bizarre spectacle as Mr Trump's top advisers repeatedly lavished praise on him.
"We thank you for the opportunity and the blessing that you've given us to serve your agenda," said Mr Priebus. "This is just the greatest privilege of my life," added Vice President Mike Pence. It carried on like that for a while.
So I guess there is some genuinely good news for Mr Trump here - if he wants positive reinforcement, there are clearly heaps of people willing to provide it.
MEANWHILE...
In less pleasant news for the president, his golfing holiday was interrupted today as America's antagonistic relationship with North Korea flared up again, leading to chilling threats from both sides.
Speaking at his golf club in New Jersey, Mr Trump took aim at North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
"He has been very threatening beyond a normal state. North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States," Mr Trump said. "He has been very threatening. As I said, they will be met with fire, fury and frankly power the likes of which this world has never seen before."
North Korea responded quickly, claiming it was "carefully examining" a plan to attack Guam, a US territory in the Pacific Ocean. According to state-run media, Kim Jong-un was weighing up firing intermediate range ballistic missiles at the island, which is situated fewer than 300 kilometres north of the Australian coast.
"The Yankees (will) be the first to experience the might of the strategic weapons of the DPRK," North Korea said.
That one won't be going in the happy folder.
