Kudlow Reportedly Tangling With John Kelly: ‘What the F*ck Does This Guy Know About the Economy?’

Over the past few weeks, there has been quite a bit of turnover in the Trump administration, especially in senior positions. According to a new report, two of President Donald Trump’s recent hires have been told by Trump himself that they report directly to him — essentially bypassing Chief of Staff John Kelly.

In Gabe Sherman’s latest Vanity Fair piece, sources close to the White House claim that the president has “effectively stripped Kelly of his authority” as he’s let chief economic advisor Larry Kudlow and national security adviser John Bolton that they only answer to him. One former official labeled this “the Scaramucci situation.”

For instance, Kudlow has already challenged Kelly’s position in the White House. Per Sherman’s report:

Kudlow has also tangled with Kelly. Recently, according to sources, Kudlow told press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders that he would like his own press person. Sanders explained that the press office could handle his media and that he didn’t need a dedicated person. “Larry was like, I’m not asking for permission,” a person briefed on the conversation said. When Kelly found out about Kudlow’s request, he blocked it. Kudlow, according to sources, didn’t force the issue with Kelly. But he wasn’t happy about it. “Larry was like, what the fuck does this guy know about the economy?” a person who spoke with him said.

Sherman also reported that Bolton got his way with removing now-former NSC spokesperson Michael Anton. Kelly apparently resisted the move, but Bolton got his way by stating he was told by Trump that he could get rid of anyone he suspects is a leaker.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Justin Baragona on Twitter: @justinbaragona

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