Trump calls 'fake news' over reports he fired Tillerson
The US President tweeted to say the Secretary of State is not leaving his role but admitted they do sometimes disagree.
Saturday 2 December 2017 02:28, UK
Donald Trump has denied reports he has fired his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, calling the claims "fake news".
The US President tweeted in response to speculation that the departure of Mr Tillerson was imminent, denying rumours he would be replaced by CIA director Mike Pompeo.
Mr Trump wrote: "The media has been speculating that I fired Rex Tillerson or that he would be leaving soon - FAKE NEWS!
"He's not leaving and while we disagree on certain subjects, (I call the final shots) we work well together and America is highly respected again!"
He also shared a link to a picture on Instagram of Mr Tillerson being sworn in earlier this year, while he and Mike Pence looked on.
The reports were said to have come from a senior White House official who leaked information on the condition of anonymity.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas was said to be in line to replace Mr Pompeo in the CIA.
Mr Tillerson called the reports "laughable" when he was questioned during a photo opportunity with the Libyan prime minister.
The State Department also said he would be remaining in the job. Mr Tillerson is scheduled to complete a four-country trip around Europe next week.
But in a news conference, Sarah Huckabee Sanders did not confirm or deny the reports.
Mr Trump would also not directly answer questions about whether he wanted him to stay in the job.
Mr Tillerson is set to lose a senior aide and a conduit soon, with RC Hammond, who runs State Department strategic communications, leaving in mid-December.
Tensions have grown between Mr Trump and Mr Tillerson in recent months. In October, a report emerged that Mr Tillerson had called the President a "moron".
They have not seen eye-to-eye on issues including the Paris Climate Deal, and relations with Qatar.