Donald Trump puts media in pillory over reports suggesting Kelly's ouster
The United States President, Donald Trump, on Tuesday night dismissed the reports of Chief of Staff John Kelly's ouster and slammed the media, saying the fake news was at it again, "this time trying to hurt one of the finest people I know."
In a series of tweets, Trump ripped the media over reports that said Kelly could be the next staffer to exit the White House.
"The Fake News is at it again, this time trying to hurt one of the finest people I know, General John Kelly, by saying he will soon be fired. This story is totally made up by the dishonest media.The Chief is doing a FANTASTIC job for me and, more importantly, for the USA!" Trump tweeted.
The Fake News is at it again, this time trying to hurt one of the finest people I know, General John Kelly, by saying he will soon be.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2017
...fired. This story is totally made up by the dishonest media.The Chief is doing a FANTASTIC job for me and, more importantly, for the USA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2017
The U.S. President's tweets come after a U.S. magazine, Vanity Fair, published an article suggesting that "Trump has grown frustrated with Kelly in recent weeks at what he sees as Kelly's highhandedness. They're fighting a lot."
Trump has repeatedly defended his chief of staff in the face of the media reports. On Saturday, he told reporters that Kelly would remain in the White House for the remainder of his first term, as well as the duration of a second term.
Trump has been targetting the media over what he calls "Fake News."
Earlier last week, Trump resumed his attacks on the mainstream media over coverage of the shooting in Las Vegas that left 59 people dead and more than 500 injured.
He retweeted messages posted by Fox News host Sean Hannity and former Fox News star Bill O'Reilly, both aimed at the mainstream media hours after departing storm-ravaged Puerto Rico.
Trump has frequently used his Twitter account to attack the accuracy of the news media.
-ANI
First published: 11 October 2017, 9:23 IST