Trump reportedly didn't even tell Rex Tillerson he was being fired — or why

(Image credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

published 13 March 2018

President Trump announced Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's ouster via Twitter on Tuesday — and Tillerson himself reportedly had no idea the announcement was coming, nor the reason for his firing.

Tillerson had "every intention of staying," according to a statement from the State Department, which added that "the secretary did not speak to the president and is unaware of the reason" for his firing.

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A senior White House official told ABC that Trump's decision was not based on any single issue with Tillerson, but comes about because Trump believes he works well with CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who Trump has picked to take over as secretary of state. Tillerson and Trump have long reportedly been at odds, with Tillerson having famously referred to the president as a "moron" after a meeting last summer.

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Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.