Like pretty much every other person associated with the Trump White House, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has had a rocky 2017. Despite being a pro-business, America-first kind of guy, he upset the president a few months ago when news emerged that Tillerson had considered quitting his post and had called Trump “a moron.”
Donald Trump, who is still braying about Hillary Clinton, for example, is a man who has a hard time letting things go. So much so that reports emerged this week that the White House was considering firing Tillerson and replacing him with CIA director Mike Pompeo. We’ve become so used to these rumors becoming immediately true, that the news of the switcheroo has been widely assumed to be a done deal.
Tillerson, however, would like us all to know that reports of his political demise have been greatly exaggerated. Him? Fired? Losing his security clearance and employee name badge? Tillerson says that these notions are “laughable.”
During a media photo op with the Libyan prime minister, a reporter straight up asked Tillerson about his job status. (“Whattup with your job, Tilly?” — something to that effect.”)
“It’s laughable. It’s laughable!” Tillerson said. And that’s all he said, before he and the Libyan PM high-tailed it away from reporters.
BREAKING: Secretary of State Tillerson says reports that the White House is considering a plan to oust him are "laughable."
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) December 1, 2017
Of course, the many armchair political pundits and comedians of Twitter had some more words for and about ol’ Rex, particularly in light of former Trump security advisor Flynn pleaded guilty to making a false statement about Russian connections.
Yes, I am laughing. This is a pretty funny day so far.
— Katherine Keszkowski (@esk5212) December 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/TGJones_62/status/936615623920177152
Reminder that trump said similar things about Flynn a few days before he was fired or resigned…we never did get a clear answer on it
— Louise H.🏳️🌈 (@louise_q10) December 1, 2017
Isn't that what Spicer and Priebus and well the others said
— Conch Mike (@ConchMike) December 1, 2017
Ok Rex
— pjeanne (@p_jeanne97) December 1, 2017
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha…
Having lunch today with @POTUS, are you?
— iVoteAmerica® (@iVoteAmerica) December 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/MBkgirl/status/936616123575029760
https://twitter.com/ndj196/status/936650870963539968
I don’t think anyone in this administration is laughing today.
— BoardingSoon 🌻🌴 (@boardingsoon) December 1, 2017
Joke's on you, Rex.
— AY Allgood (@ayallgood) December 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/MhWalt3067/status/936613955879034883
In summary, “LOLZ.”