Tillerson abruptly leaves podium after dismissing resignation rumors as ‘ridiculous’ in awkward exchange with reporter

• Secretary of State Rex Tillerson abruptly left the podium while addressing reporters on Monday.
• The first question came from a French reporter, who asked him whether he’d already submitted a letter of resignation effective January.
• Tillerson said the question was “ridiculous” and ended the briefing.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was speaking to reporters Monday before meeting with French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, when a member of the French press asked him an awkward question.

“Bonjour, Monsieur Secretary,” the reporter began. “Secretary Tillerson, have you already submitted a letter of resignation with an effective date in January?”

“That’s ridiculous,” Tillerson replied, according to a transcript posted by CNN.

Read the whole story from Business Insider.

Featured image courtesy of AP