White House chief of staff John Kelly on Thursday told reporters they are a big frustration for President Trump.
The retired general made a rare appearance before reporters assembled in the James S. Brady Briefing Room for the White House’s press briefing, telling the press corps that they are one of the president’s top frustrations.
“When I watch TV in the morning, it is astounding to me how much is misreported,” he said.
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“I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you are operating off of contacts, leaks, whatever you call them,” he said. “But I just would offer to you the advice — maybe develop some better sources.”
Trump has blasted the media over the past few weeks, on the heels of reports detailing divisions within his White House.
He has specifically denied two recent NBC News reports, one that he wanted a tenfold increase of the nation’s nuclear arsenal and another that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called Trump a “moron” after the meeting where Trump allegedly proposed that increase.
Those reports prompted Trump to question the future of NBC’s broadcast license in a series of tweets. He also refuted the “Fake News” for claiming that Kelly would soon be fired, a topic Kelly addressed in person from the podium.
“I’m not quitting today,” he said.
“I just talked to the president. I don’t think I’m being fired today. And I’m not so frustrated in this job that I’m thinking of leaving,” he continued.