Donald Trump is known for his third-grade level insults. He’s also known for insulting the intelligence of anyone who crosses him. So when former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made it clear that Trump asked him to break the law and ignore treaties, it’s now a surprise that Trump slammed the man he put in what’s widely considered the most important cabinet role. What is surprising is just how spiteful, juvenile, and petty Trump managed to be.
Mike Pompeo is doing a great job, I am very proud of him. His predecessor, Rex Tillerson, didn’t have the mental capacity needed. He was dumb as a rock and I couldn’t get rid of him fast enough. He was lazy as hell. Now it is a whole new ballgame, great spirit at State!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 7, 2018
It’s exactly the kind of thing that makes people line up to work for Trump. And it raises the question—if Tillerson is “dumb as a rock” and “lazy as hell,” why did Trump hire him in the first place?
I have chosen one of the truly great business leaders of the world, Rex Tillerson, Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, to be Secretary of State.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2016
It was clear that Tillerson was frustrated from the beginning by Trump’s refusal to read anything longer than a Big Mac wrapper and his inability to grasp the simplest elements of international affairs.
Trump’s “couldn’t get rid of him fast enough” also means that not only did Trump hire Tillerson, he kept him on for more than a year. If Trump really wanted Tillerson gone, it sounds like someone really was lazy as hell about making that happen.
Trump was nothing but praise for Tillerson both before his selection …
Whether I choose him or not for "State"- Rex Tillerson, the Chairman & CEO of ExxonMobil, is a world class player and dealmaker. Stay tuned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2016
And after he agreed to leave Exxon to work for Trump …
The thing I like best about Rex Tillerson is that he has vast experience at dealing successfully with all types of foreign governments.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2016
Though there was a time when Trump told Tillerson to back off …
I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2017
Yeah, Rex. Talking to North Korea is obviously a waste of time. Who would do that?
This is a Creative Commons article. The original version of this article appeared here.
Idiots hires idiots.