Donald Trump attends a cabinet meeting. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said he received a call from President Donald Trump to dispute that he knew about Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's $200 million public relations campaign that was primarily used to boost her image.
Kennedy had grilled Noem about the advertising spending during a Senate hearing this week. At the time, Noem testified that Trump had been aware of her plans.
"They were effective in your name recognition. To me, it puts the president in a terribly awkward spot," Kennedy told the secretary.
On Thursday, Punchbowl News reported that Trump had called Republican senators to ask whether he should fire Noem. The president was said to be "especially upset" about the PR campaign.
"Put it this way, his recollection and her recollection are different," Kennedy confirmed to reporters.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) refused to give Noem a vote of confidence when asked if Trump should replace her.
"Time will tell," Graham said.
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