( SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  Vice President Mike Pence is calling a news report alleging he was upset over criticism from an openly gay Olympian “fake news.”

Pence tweeted to Olympian Adam Rippon: “I want you to know we are FOR YOU. Don’t let fake news distract you. I am proud of you and ALL OF OUR GREAT athletes and my only hope for you and all of #TeamUSA is to bring home the gold.”

A USA Today report claimed Pence was troubled by reports that Rippon had criticized him for supporting so-called gay conversion therapy — and that the vice president’s office was rebuffed in trying to set up a meeting between Pence and Rippon to meet at the Olympic Games. White House officials denied that Pence’s team offered such an invitation.

Aides to Pence also denied the vice president ever supported the practice, which has been rejected by medical and psychological professional organizations.

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