Tillerson Denies Resignation Rumours, but Not ‘Moron’ Remark

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has denied rumours of a rift with Donald Trump, amid media reports he had called the president a “moron”.

“I’m not going to deal with petty stuff like that,” he said, without denying the alleged remark.

Mr Tillerson called a news conference after an NBC report said he had considered resigning earlier this year.

He said his commitment to Mr Trump’s White House was as strong as ever, and he would stay on as long as needed.

NBC had alleged, citing White House sources, that Mr Tillerson had to be talked out of resigning in July.

It said he had been advised by Vice-President Mike Pence “on ways to ease tensions” with the president, the report added - something which Mr Tillerson denies.

“The vice president has never had to persuade me to stay as secretary of state, because I have never considered leaving this post,” he said.

“I’m new to Washington, I have learned there are some who try to sow dissension to advance their own agenda by tearing others apart in an effort to undermine President Trump’s own agenda. I do not and I will not operate that way.”

Just before Mr Tillerson spoke, Donald Trump took aim at their report, tweeting: “NBC news is #FakeNews and more dishonest than even CNN. They are a disgrace to good reporting. No wonder their news ratings are way down!”