A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump's Testing of America

by Philip Rucker

Then Trump would ridicule McMaster further by describing the topic of the day and deploying a series of large, complex phrases to indicate how boring McMaster’s briefing was going to be. The National Security Council staff were deeply disturbed by Trump’s treatment of their boss. “The president doesn’t fire people,” said one of McMaster’s aides. “He just tortures them until they’re willing to quit.” The cruelty also was uncomfortable for Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Kelly, and other advisers to watch. Kelly was weary of McMaster’s inability to take the hint that Trump was done listening. One day in the fall, Trump was meeting with a group of his advisers in the Oval Office, and Kelly decided the president was growing more obstinate on an issue and it was time for the gathering to break up. “Thank you very much,” Kelly said. “Everyone can leave now.” McMaster moved closer to the Resolute Desk and said, “Mr. President, I’d like to keep talking to you. I have a few more things.” Kelly did not take kindly to McMaster disobeying his order. The chief of staff stood nose to nose with the national security adviser and decreed, “I said the meeting was over.” Here was a four-star marine general and a three-star army general nearly coming to blows in front of the president of the United States. Trump loved it, later