Trump blasts retired Gen. John Kelly while denying disparaging remarks on military

FILE - In this June 27, 2018 file photo, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, right, leans in to talk with President Donald Trump during Trump's meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Kelly is defending former White House national security aide, Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, who raised concerns about President Donald Trumps phone call with Ukraines president that spurred his impeachment. Kelly made the comments at a public forum Wednesday evening in Morristown, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

WASHINGTON – During a news conference on Friday afternoon at the White House, President Donald Trump criticized retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, the former White House chief of staff and former Secretary of Homeland Security.

Trump said Kelly was unable to handle the pressure of his job at the White House. He said Kelly “did not do a good job,” was “unable to function” and he was “exhausted” by the time he left the job in January 2019.

“I know John Kelly. He was with me. He had no temperament,” Trump said, adding Kelly “bad mouths” him.

Trump said the new reports by The Associated Press and Fox News confirming The Atlantic’s recent report is “a hoax” and a “continuation of the witch hunt.” Both reports allege sources heard Trump make disparaging remarks about members of the U.S. military who had been captured or killed.

Kelly’s son 1st Lt. Robert Kelly died in 2010 while serving in Afghanistan. Trump also said he was not a fan of Republican Sen. John McCain, a U.S. Navy veteran who was a prisoner of war.

“I disagreed with John McCain on a lot of things,” Trump said.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC & ECONOMY

Trump confirmed there are three coronavirus vaccines in the final stages and one could be ready by Nov. 1. He asked the public to social distance, wash their hands and wear face masks.

Trump also accused Democrats of getting in the way of financial relief during the coronavirus pandemic. He said $300 billion are sitting idle because Democrats in Congress want the federal government to give stimulus checks to “illegal aliens.”

Trump cited Friday’s report on 8.4% jobless rate. He also accused former vice president Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential candidate, of sending jobs to China and of being a threat to the economy. With Larry Kudlow, White House chief economic adviser, by his side, Trump said GDP data will be released before the Nov. 3 election.

“America’s unprecedented economic recovery continues,” Trump said.

RUSSIA: Trump also said he would not get in the way of Germany taking action against Russia over the alleged poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. He said he has yet to see the evidence.

MEDAL: Trump announced he will be giving the Presidential Medal of Freedom to legendary coach Lou Holtz.

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President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, in Washington. Seat at left is Larry Kudlow, White House chief economic adviser, left, and former coach Lou Holtz. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

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Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks in Wilmington, Del., Friday Sept. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Local 10 News Digital Reporter/Producer Andrea Torres contributed to this story from Miami.


About the Authors:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.