White House official says Trump actually 'hates firing people'

President Trump.
(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Who is next on President Trump's chopping block? White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer? Special Counsel Robert Mueller? Chief of Staff Reince Priebus or chief strategist Steven Bannon? Despite all the rumors — and there are a lot of rumors — it's just as likely no one is, New York reports. Trump just compulsively loves talking about firing people, even if he has no actual plans or desires to fire anyone.

"Donald Trump — think about how he talks," one senior White House official explained. "How do you think Mike Pence is doing as vice president? Is Mike Pence doing a good job? Let me ask you this: Did I make the right call on Pence?"

The official added: "[Trump] asks it in front of me, with people there! Literally, we will be sitting there having dinner, and he'll just say, 'How's he doing? Is he getting killed?' The first couple of times, you're like, 'What the f---?' But you get used to it. That's just how he talks."

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Officials stressed that while Trump likes to act as if he is a tough boss, the president actually strongly dislikes firing people. "[Trump is] a conflict-avoider," an administration official explained. "He hates firing people. He knows he's gotta fire every one of them — but he can't bring himself to do it. He's a Gemini. Do you know what a Gemini is? Those are two people in one body. There's always two faces with Trump."

Read more about how the "you're fired" president doesn't want to fire anyone at New York.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.