President Trump on Friday reassured his audience that his relationship is solid with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton, despite what he said were “false messages” from the media.
“Mike Pompeo’s doing a great job. Bolton’s doing a great job,” Trump said. “But they make it sound like it’s a conflict,” Trump said of the media.
His comments followed the publication of a Washington Post story alleging that Trump was “frustrated” by his top advisors, who were reportedly pushing the U.S. toward a military conflict with Iran.
The Persian Gulf nation has been escalating tensions with the U.S., which has placed troops on high alert.
“We’re right now dealing with Iran, and they put out so many false messages that Iran is totally confused. I don’t know, that might be a good thing,” said Trump of the media, to laughter from the crowd in New York.
“No, they put out, the fake news, they put out messages — these people, right back here — they put out messages that I’m angry with my people. I’m not angry with my people,” Trump said. “I’m not angry with them. I make my own decisions.”
Trump was speaking in New York at the National Association of Realtors Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo.
