White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders denied a Monday Vanity Fair report that President Donald Trump may oust chief of staff John Kelly over tensions, in a Fox News appearance Tuesday morning.
“I would not use Vanity Fair for much other than a coaster,” Sanders declared, adding “I expect General Kelly to be here not just the next 3 years but the next 7 years.” Vanity Fair’s report cited two Republican sources with knowledge saying that Trump was frustrated with Kelly for publicly suggesting in a Fox News interview that Trump’s position on the border wall has “evolved” since his 2016 presidential campaign.
.@PressSec: “I expect General Kelly not to just be here for the next 3 years but the next 7 years.” pic.twitter.com/BecoW7YTM1
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 23, 2018
President Trump also complimented Kelly on Twitter Tuesday morning.
Thank you to General John Kelly, who is doing a fantastic job, and all of the Staff and others in the White House, for a job well done. Long hours and Fake reporting makes your job more difficult, but it is always great to WIN, and few have won more than us!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 23, 2018
The magazine also reported that first daughter and White House staffer Ivanka Trump is leading the search for a new chief of staff.
Kelly told Fox News in a recent interview that he is planning on staying in his role for the long haul adding “not only is this the toughest job I’ve ever had, and I’ve done a lot of things in my life, this is the most important thing I’ve ever done in my life. I’ve got no reason to be doing this other than my sense of service to the country. That’s my number one motivation, always has been for my whole life.”