Giuliani stands by Obama comments

“My secretary has received some death threats,” Giuliani said in a brief interview by phone. But the former mayor emphasized the majority of the voice mails left at his office were supportive of his remarks. Giuliani did not say whether he alerted police to the threatening calls. CNN cannot confirm whether the threats were made.

As for his initial remarks that ignited the firestorm, spoken at a private dinner for Wisconsin’s Republican Gov. Scott Walker, a potential 2016 presidential contender, Giuliani offered no apologies.

“I don’t regret making the statement. I believe it,” Giuliani said. “I don’t know if he loves America,” he added.

“I don’t feel the same enthusiasm from him for America,” he continued during the interview.

On Friday, the White House sharply criticized Giuliani’s comments.

“I can tell you that it’s sad to see when somebody who has attained a certain level of public stature, and even admiration, tarnishes that legacy so thoroughly,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.

“And the truth is, I don’t take any joy, or vindication, or satisfaction from that. I think, really, the only thing that I feel is I feel sorry for Rudy Giuliani today,” Earnest added.

CNN