Donald Trump claims he went to the White House bunker to 'inspect' it - and not to flee protesters.
Trump was moved to the underground shelter as protesters closed in on the White House on Friday.
Demonstrators clashed with police in front of the President's official residence, with some reports claiming Trump fled to his bunker for protection.
The commander-in-chief, who was nicknamed 'bunker boy' on social media after the episode, stayed in the bunker with his wife Melania and their son Barron for almost an hour.
However, he now says his visit was unrelated to the nearby protest, which was one of many demonstrations organised in response to the death of George Floyd.
He told Fox News Radio: "It was much more for the inspection.
"I was there for a tiny, little period of time. They said it would be a good time to go down and take a look because maybe sometime you're going to need it."
He denied tear gas was used on peaceful protesters outside a church her visited for a photo opportunity, Sky News reports.
The President also hit out at leading journalists for their coverage of the protests.
Mr Floyd died after a white policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis on May 25, sparking protests across the US.
Protests were largely peaceful yesterday but became tense after dark particularly near the White House where a new fence was shaken.
Trump had threatened to use the military to battle violence and had derided local authorities, including state governors, for a response he said failed to dominate the disturbances.
He deployed the National Guard and other federal law enforcement forces across Washington yesterday.
US Defence Secretary Mark Esper has now said he is against the use of soldiers to quell the protests.
Former US President Barack Obama is due to deliver a speech at 10pm (GMT) tonight.
