The White House is denying accusations that it tried to make a religious statement by covering up religious symbols at an event earlier this week.

The president spoke on the economy Tuesday at Georgetown University's Gaston Hall.

Normally, the room has a triangle with a cross and Catholic monogram of Christ's name but it was not there for the speech.

Georgetown University said the White House officials asked for it to be covered.

"Decisions made about the backdrop for the speech were made to have a consistent background of American flags which is standard for many presidential events. Any suggestions to the contrary are simply false," White House officials told CBN News.

Other religious symbols in the room, including paintings of Jesus, were not covered.