Kelly denies reports of friction with Trump

Oct. 12 (UPI) -- White House chief of staff John Kelly addressed reporters at the White House on Thursday, denying reports he was close to being fired or quitting his job.

"I'm not quitting today," Kelly said. "I just talked to the president. I don't think I'm being fired today. And I'm not so frustrated in this job that I'm thinking of leaving."

On Twitter earlier in the week, Trump criticized media reports citing anonymous sources that said Kelly, a retired military general who was promoted to Trump's chief of staff after Reince Priebus was fired, was experiencing friction with the president and one or both men were considering cutting ties.

"The Fake News is at it again, this time trying to hurt one of the finest people I know, General John Kelly, by saying he will soon be fired," Trump tweeted Tuesday.

Trump has been known to clash with close advisers dating back to the initial months of his campaign. During the race he fired two campaign heads. The third, Steve Bannon, was brought into the administration as Trump's chief strategist, but Bannon was also fired from that post earlier this year.