Trump told a big, fat lie: Boy Scouts leaders never said he gave the 'greatest speech'

Not only did President Donald Trump earn zero achievement badges for his much-criticized Boy Scouts speech, but now he's also lying about the praise he's gotten from Scout leaders.

After his politically-charged rant at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia last week was lambasted, the president said "the head of the Boy Scouts" told him it was "the greatest speech that was ever made to them."

Um, but the Scouts say that never happened, according to the Associated Press.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

All the guy had to do was say things that were appropriate enough for a bunch of kids to hear, but he just couldn't. Instead, he wound up talking about politics and a big sex yacht, causing Chief Scout Executive Michael Surbaugh to write a letter essentially apologizing to the world.

But Trump (quite possibly in denial) encouraged people to forget about all the controversy, telling The Wall Street Journal (in an interview published by Politico) the scout leaders loved it. "I got a call from the head of the Boy Scouts saying it was the greatest speech that was ever made to them, and they were very thankful. So there was — there was no mix."

Problem is Surbagh, the head of the Scouts and the one who wrote that apology letter, never made that call. Neither did the other top Scout, President Randall Stephenson, the Boy Scouts told the AP

"We are unaware of any such call," the Scouts said.

What is truth in 2017 anyhow?

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UPDATE (and yes this is real life) Aug. 2 2:37 p.m. PT:

Sarah Huckabee Sanders insisted during Wednesday's press conference that "it wasn't a lie" and that Trump heard from "multiple members of Boy Scout leadershop" who extended "quite powerful compliments."

“The conversations took place," she added, referring also to a supposed conversation with the president of Mexico. "They just simply didn't take place over a phone call. He had them in person.”