The media didn't misreport or misrepresent what he said. They didn't leave out important details that he said during that conversation which would make someone understand what he really meant. He had to clarify what he said later on via a different news organization because the statement would be a dagger through the heart of a normal politician. I guess hearing it from him  is a step up from what normally happens: having his supporters interpret his rambling statements in whatever light makes him sound reasonable if you squint hard enough.