Exactly why would the general feel the need to say anything on the subject at all if he did not have precise information?
He provided some aid and comfort to the enemy.
Well, you know... the article is from the discredited NYT’s and it relates a “story version” that a turd with press credentials asked, what on the face of it sounded like a legitimate question for the General at a press conference, so he felt compelled to try to answer it in a way that most turds could understand. Generals, by their very nature, are expected to either always have the answer, or at least know where to go and who to talk to get the answer.
His response appeared to be honest (if you can believe the NYT article) “(do) not know where President Donald Trump got his information that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State leader, died “screaming, crying and whimpering.” Furthermore, “but said Trump may have gotten his details from a conversation with military personnel on the ground who were involved in the raid.”
Again, when a General (in this case, a Commander-in-Chief) wants the real skinny, the President knew where to go and who to talk to for the answers. And as far as stating the video will show the truth... I’d be willing to bet that the President is baiting the demoRATS and their willing accomplices in the media to scream bloody murder and demand and beg for the release of said video... only to find out that the part where bigdaddy is “screaming, crying and whimpering” must remain classified in order to protect the “emotionalilty of the fragilistic snowflakes and their itty bitty feelings”... after all, there were children present!
Because the general is playing both ends against the middle...trying to appear to not favor one version or the other. IOW should Trump be removed or not reelected, he wants to serve his full term as CJCS. It's what generals are good at...covering all the bases as well as their a$$es.