President Donald Trump said Tuesday there’s no truth to the stories that say there is chaos in his White House, and said the retirement of several key officials reflects efforts to find the right mix of people.
“The new Fake News narrative is that there is CHAOS in the White House. Wrong! People will always come & go, and I want strong dialogue before making a final decision,” Trump posted to twitter. “I still have some people that I want to change (always seeking perfection). There is no Chaos, only great Energy!”
The new Fake News narrative is that there is CHAOS in the White House. Wrong! People will always come & go, and I want strong dialogue before making a final decision. I still have some people that I want to change (always seeking perfection). There is no Chaos, only great Energy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 6, 2018
Last week, White House communications director Hope Hicks became the latest high-profile staffer to say she would resign in the coming weeks. That announcement came on the heels of reports that she was dating former White House aide Rob Porter, who left after reports he abused two of his ex-wives.
Hicks had also just testified at the House Intelligence Committee about what she knew about possible collusion with Russia during the election. But White House officials said Hicks had been looking to leave, and that the timing of her announcement was unrelated to her testimony.
Several other notable staffers have left the White House over the last several months, including chief strategist Steve Bannon and deputy assistant to the president Sebastian Gorka.
At the annual Gridiron Club dinner on Sunday, Trump joked that he liked the high turnover, and joked that trusted staffer Stephen Miller or his own wife might be next.
“So many people have been leaving the White House,” he said. “It’s invigorating, since you want turnover. I like chaos. It really is good. Who’s going to be the next to leave? Steve Miller, or Melania?”
