John Kelly says reports he called Trump 'an idiot' are 'total BS'
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White House chief of staff John Kelly strongly denied news media reports alleging he called President Trump “an idiot” last year and threatened to resign several times.
“I spend more time with the President than anyone else and we have an incredibly candid and strong relationship,” Kelly said in a statement Monday. “He always knows where I stand and he and I both know this story is total BS. I am committed to the President, his agenda, and our country. This is another pathetic attempt to smear people close to President Trump and distract from the administration’s many successes.”
Kelly was responding to reports that first appeared on NBC News, which said there was tension between Trump and his chief of staff. The report, citing eight unnamed current and former White House officials, said Kelly was expected to be gone by July.
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“The officials said Kelly portrays himself to Trump administration aides as the lone bulwark against catastrophe, curbing the erratic urges of a president who has a questionable grasp on policy issues and the functions of government,” NBC reported. “He has referred to Trump as ‘an idiot’ multiple times to underscore his point, according to four officials who say they’ve witnessed the comments.”
A former official confirmed Kelly’s insult to the Associated Press and said it occurred “as his clashes with Trump over policy and personnel grew louder and more frequent. Kelly, who has cast himself as safeguarding the public from the president, has also threatened to quit the White House on several occasions.”
Three White House representatives told NBC News they don’t believe the report and that they never witnessed Kelly call Trump “an idiot.”
Trump appeared to address the reports in a pair of tweets Monday night.
In the first, Trump said the “Fake News is going crazy making up false stories and using only unnamed sources (who don’t exist).”
The Fake News is going crazy making up false stories and using only unnamed sources (who don’t exist). They are totally unhinged, and the great success of this Administration is making them do and say things that even they can’t believe they are saying. Truly bad people!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 30, 2018
“The White House is running very smoothly despite phone Witch Hunts etc.,” Trump said in the second tweet. “We are accomplishing the unthinkable and setting positive records while doing so! Fake News is going ‘bonkers!'”
The White House is running very smoothly despite phony Witch Hunts etc. There is great Energy and unending Stamina, both necessary to get things done. We are accomplishing the unthinkable and setting positive records while doing so! Fake News is going “bonkers!”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 30, 2018
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