Donald Trump fires National Security Advisor John Bolton over 'disagreements'

10 September 2019, 17:09

Donald Trump has claimed he fired John Bolton, despite the National Security Advisor saying he quit.

The US President claimed he had sacked Mr Bolton last night because he " strongly disagreed" with many of his suggestions.

But just minutes later, Mr Bolton gave his own view of events.

He tweeted: "I offered to resign last night and President Trump said, 'Let's talk about it tomorrow'."

Trump's tweet said: "I informed John Bolton last night that his services are no longer needed at the White House.

"I disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions, as did others in the Administration, and therefore I asked John for his resignation, which was given to me this morning.

"I thank John very much for his service. I will be naming a new National Security Advisor next week."

However, it was not clear if the President had informed Mr Bolton of his firing before it was publicly announced.

The announcement was also made around 90 minutes before Mr Bolton was due to appear at a press conference with with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Some outlets theorised the pair had clashed over Trump's invitation to the Afghan Taliban for a peace talks in Camp David.

But White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham denied these claims, instead telling CNBC that the split was due to 'many, many issues.'

Just a day before Mr Trump announced Mr Bolton's removal from office, he denied rumours that his administration was in turmoil.

He tweeted: "A lot of Fake News is being reported that I overruled the VP and various advisers on a potential Camp David meeting with the Taliban.

'This Story is False! I always think it is good to meet and talk, but in this case I decided not to.

"The Dishonest Media likes to create the look of turmoil in the White House, of which there is none. I view much of the media as simply an arm of the Democrat Party. "