Donald Trump claims he called CEO Tim Cook 'Tim Apple' to save time

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump says he didn't make a mistake when he referred to Apple CEO Tim Cook as "Tim Apple," but did so as a time-saving measure – even though video clearly shows he simply mangled the name. 

"I quickly referred to Tim + Apple as Tim/Apple as an easy way to save time & words," the president tweeted early Monday. "The Fake News was disparagingly all over this, & it became yet another bad Trump story!"

The video indicates Trump simply misspoke during a Friday event with business owners at the White House.

Cook responded in a joking manner, changing his Twitter name to "Tim Apple," compete with an emoji of the eponymous fruit.

Axios reported that, during a Florida fundraiser over the weekend, Trump claimed he did say "Tim Cook Apple" really fast, but the "Cook" part was said softly – the video indicates otherwise.

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The news coverage annoyed Trump and his tweeted explanation Monday drew ridicule from his critics on social media.

"NARCISSISTIC MADMAN has logged on," tweeted Jesse Ferguson, a Democratic strategist.