John Kelly: I Never ‘Called The President An Idiot’

September 4, 2018 3:43 p.m.

Start your day with TPM.

White House chief of staff John Kelly on Tuesday denied that he “ever called the President an idiot,” as asserted in Bob Woodward’s new book. Read his full statement below, including some language from May that Kelly re-used:

The idea I ever called the President an idiot is not true. As I stated back in May and still firmly stand behind: “I spend more time with the President than anyone else, and we have an incredibly candid and strong relationship. He always knows where I stand, and he and I both know this story is total BS. I’m 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.

Start your day with TPM.

Matt Shuham (@mattshuham) is a reporter in TPM’s New York office. Prior to joining TPM, he was associate editor of The National Memo and an editorial intern at Rolling Stone.

Have a tip? Send it Here!

Comments Continue Discussion

Notable Replies

impurescience says:

September 4, 2018

Oh, goodness…this should be entertaining.
evave2 says:

September 4, 2018

“I never called the President an idiot” (my correction) “I called him a fucking moron.”
tf82 says:

September 4, 2018

Watch out John Kelly, you deplorable! Woodward has tapes!
sanni says:

September 4, 2018

If that is true ~cough~ doubtful ~cough~ then watch your back - someone (or two or more) have told this story to more than one journalist.

Then again perhaps it’s a word sleight of hand and you said something like dumb@ss instead of idiot.
bikerdad says:

September 4, 2018

Gosh, Gen. Kelly, if only you weren’t a proven, unrepentant liar. But, you know what they say about empty barrels.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

29 more replies

Participants

Continue Discussion