Report: Tillerson called Trump 'moron' before nearly quitting

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson nearly quit President Trump's administration this summer after calling him a "moron" amid policy disputes, according to a NBC News report. 

It was late July when Tillerson was in Texas while Trump addressed the Boy Scouts of America, which Tillerson once led, and the secretary threatened not to return to Washington, according to the report. 

The report also claims Vice President Mike Pence "counseled Tillerson ... on ways to ease tensions with Trump, and other top administration officials urged him to remain in the job at least until the end of the year."

Tillerson allegedly referred to the President as a "moron" during a meeting days before Trump's Boy Scouts speech, according to the report. 

This would not be the first time Trump and his Secretary of State have appeared to disagree. Just this past weekend the President tweeted that Tillerson, "our wonderful Secretary of State," shouldn't be "wasting his time" trying to negotiate with North Korean leaders. 

Tillerson delivers statement; 'never considered leaving'

Tillerson delivered a statement Wednesday in direct response to the NBC News report. 

"I have never considered leaving this post," he said. 

He said he fully supports Trump, who "loves this country."

"Accountability is one of the bedrock values the President and I share," said Tillerson. 

The Secretary of State said he is new to Washington but he has learned there are people always working to "undermine" the President. 

"There has never been a consideration in my mind to leave," he said. 

When asked about whether he called Trump a "moron," Tillerson said he would not deal with such "petty stuff."