U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson according to NBC news described President Donald Trump as a “moron” after the President compared the strategic aspects of deciding on troop levels to opening a restaurant in New York City.

• Tillerson’s grievances

Tillerson was said to have been so displeased with the president’s statement which was delivered during a Boy Scouts convention, that he thought about not returning to Washington from his son’s wedding in Texas. It took the persuasion of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and White House chief of staff John Kelly, to make him change hiss mind.

Vice President Mike Pence also urged Tillerson upon his return to seek private ways to handle his difference with Trump, arguing that it will be a terrible development for the administration if one of its top cabinet members resigns – an assertion shared by Mattis and Kelly.

• Charlottesville remarks

Also in August, Trump and Tillerson had conflicting views when the Secretary of State responded to the president’s Charlottesville remarks by saying, “the president speaks for himself.”

However, State Department spokesman, Hammond said that “the President told Tillerson he was upset with his comments when he saw them the first time. But, Trump told Tillerson, after watching the interview a second and third time, the president understood that Tillerson was trying to say Trump is the best person to convey what his values are”.

“Still, the message was clear that Trump wanted Tillerson to defend him more,” Hammond stressed.

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