NPR: Tillerson Doesn't Deny Calling Trump A 'Moron,' Says He Never Considered Resigning

October 4, 201711:35 AM ET
Domenico Montanaro - 2015

Rex Tillerson denied a report out early Wednesday that he considered resigning as secretary of state, but he did not deny another detail in the report — that he called President Trump a "moron."

"I'm not going to deal with petty stuff like that," Tillerson said in an impromptu statement at the State Department that he said was intended to knock down "erroneously reported" details in an NBC News report that he considered stepping down after a hotly political speech Trump made before the Boy Scouts over the summer. He added that the story was "intended to divide" and that he was "not going to deal with petty nonsense."

Tillerson seemed to make the statement for an audience of one, to reaffirm his commitment to Trump and his agenda.

"I have never considered leaving this post," Tillerson said. "There's never been a consideration in my mind to leave." He also said his "commitment is as strong as it was the day I accepted his [Trump's] offer as secretary of state." And he heaped praise on the president, who he was certain to call "smart."

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http://www.npr.org/2017/10/04/546789392/tillerson-doesnt-deny-calling-trump-a-moron-says-he-never-considered-resigning