CNN: Replacement Plan Floated to Get Tillerson to 'Punch Out'

Reports that surfaced about President Donald Trump's plan to replace Rex Tillerson were an effort by the White House — and Trump himself — to publicly shame the secretary of state and get him to resign, CNN reports.

Plant the seeds of the president's discontent for Tillerson and then "wait for him to punch out," a source told CNN.

Tillerson has called the reports that Trump plans to replace him with CIA Direct Mike Pompeo "laughable," and Trump himself Thursday said "Rex is here" in obtuse support of his embattled State Department chief.

The relationship between Tillerson and Trump has soured in recent months over the Iran nuclear accord and perhaps most actuely, reports that surfaced over the summer that had Tillerson calling Trump a "(bleeping) moron."

Tillerson will lunch with Trump and Defense Secretary James Mattis on Friday, according to CNN.

• White House Won't Say Trump Has Confidence in Tillerson
• Tillerson Ouster Would Create Shake-Up in DC