President Donald Trump declared Wednesday Defense Secretary James Mattis will “stay right there” in the administration, standing by the retired Marine Corps general after a new book reports he once described Trump as having the understanding of “a fifth- or sixth-grader.”
Mattis refuted the quote in Bob Woodward’s soon-to-be-released book, “Fear: Trump in the White House,” issuing a statement Tuesday that "the contemptuous words about the President attributed to me in Woodward's book were never uttered by me or in my presence,” adding: “The idea that I would show contempt” for the president “or tolerate disrespect to the office of the president from within our Department of Defense, is a product of someone's rich imagination."
In remarks at the White House, Trump effusively praised Mattis’ statement, and put to rest speculation about his exit. Video of the remarks were posted by the Washington Post.
“He just made the nicest quote about me I think I’ve ever had,” Trump said, adding that Woodward’s book “is a total piece of fiction.”
“[Mattis] was not even misquoted, he never made the statement,” Trump said.
“I think he’s a terrific person, he’s doing a fantastic job as secretary of defense,” Trump said.
When asked by a reporter if Mattis would stay in his job, Trump quickly replied: “He’ll stay right there. We’re very happy with him. We’re having a lot of victories, we’re having victories people don’t even know about. And he’s very respected.”
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