Following a report that a National Security Council official was fired in part due to clashes with Melania Trump’s team, the first lady’s spokeswoman issued a blunt, scathing statement that all but confirmed that Melania Trump pushed the official out.
“It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House,” Stephanie Grisham, Melania Trump’s spokeswoman, said in a statement, referring to NSC official Mira Ricardel.
The statement follows a Wall Street Journal report that President Trump decided to remove Ricardel “at the urging of Mrs. Trump,” in the Wall Street Journal’s words.
Ricardel clashed with Melania Trump’s staff over seating on the plane and NSC resources requested for the first lady’s recent trip to Africa, according to the Wall Street Journal. Some in the first lady’s office also accused Ricardel of leaking damaging stories about Melania Trump.
The ousted NSC staffer also had disagreements with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his staff, per the Wall Street Journal.
