President Donald Trump. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
The White House responded to explosive claims in Bob Woodward's new book saying the allegations are "nothing more than fabricated stories." Chief of Staff John Kelly also refuted the notion that he called President Trump an "idiot" and "this is the worst job" he's ever had.
Key quotes: Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said, "This book is nothing more than fabricated stories, many by former disgruntled employees, told to make the President look bad." Gen. John Kelly explained, "The idea I ever called the President an idiot is not true... This is another pathetic attempt to smear people close to President Trump and distract from the administration’s many successes."
Defense Sec. James Mattis issued a statement denouncing Woodward's claims:
“The contemptuous words about the President attributed to me in Woodward’s book were never uttered by me or in my presence. While I generally enjoy reading fiction, this is a uniquely Washington brand of literature, and his anonymous sources do not lend credibility...In serving this administration, the ideas that I would show contempt for the elected Commander-in-Chief, President Trump, or tolerate disrespect to the office of the President from within our Department of Defense, is a product of someone’s rich imagination.”