Secretary of State Rex Tillerson went into full damage-control mode last week after NBC News reported he had called President Donald Trump a “f—-ing moron,” denying the allegation and insisting the president was “smart.” But Trump never forgets a slight—and sooner or later, he always hits back. In this case, it was in an interview with Forbes published Tuesday.
“I think it’s fake news,” Trump said when asked about the reported “moron” comment. “But if he did that, I guess we’ll have to compare IQ tests. And I can tell you who is going to win.”
Trump also had harsh words in the interview about Tillerson’s work to ease relations with North Korea.
“He was wasting his time,” Trump said, before disputing that such sharp comments hurt Tillerson’s ability to negotiate: “I’m not undermining. I think I’m actually strengthening authority.”
Trump initially waved off the NBC story as “totally made up,” saying he had “total confidence” in his secretary of state and that the two “have a very good relationship.”
The president has long been fascinated with IQ tests, and Tillerson is far from the first person he’s bragged he’d beat in one.
Sorry losers and haters, but my I.Q. is one of the highest -and you all know it! Please don’t feel so stupid or insecure,it’s not your fault
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 9, 2013
“@davidpylejr: @realDonaldTrump @edincamera2 @alphatreblesix you’re not really smart Mr. Trump, you’re an F-ing genius!” I.Q. tests confirm!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 20, 2013
“@ThisNBAgirl: @realDonaldTrump You are not as smart as Mark Cuban, no matter what you think. Keep to what you know. Lets do an I.Q. test!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2013
“@NJWineGeek: @realDonaldTrump but Jon Stewart has a much higher IQ. Wrong, Jon Stewart(?) is an obnoxious lightweight with a lower I.Q.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 9, 2013
