If he was directly asked the question then the answer is 'no' even if it is really 'yes'. He wasn't asked, he responded to a tweet he wasn't even tagged in. If the answer is for real 'yes', then there was no obligation to stick his neck out, ergo, Fuente is NOT on the hot seat.

The 'story' is that Fuente has Whit's full backing despite the media's desire for the hotseat story. Don't be so hamfisted and your motive won't be so transparent.