
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said she would not read too much into a picture of White House chief of staff John KellyJohn Francis KellyMORE putting his head in his hand during President Trump's speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
“I would certainly not read anything into that picture, any more than probably just like the rest of us, we’re tired trying to keep up with this president who’s working hard every day to help America," Sanders said on the Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday.
Sanders's comments come after photos of Kelly emerged with his palm over his face while the president addressed the international body, with social media users using the photo to imply that Kelly was frustrated or weary of Trump.
John Kelly at UNGA is all of us. pic.twitter.com/Wza8wrzdCY
— Mira Rapp-Hooper (@MiraRappHooper) September 19, 2017
Here are two photos of John Kelly at Trump's UN speech https://t.co/0MuPBgLTOJ pic.twitter.com/VJXYUzGaJ0
— Colin Jones (@colinjones) September 19, 2017
This is not the first time Kelly has been seen appearing to look exasperated during an appearance by the president.
Kelly was seen with his head down and arms crossed as Trump said "both sides" were responsible for racially charged violence in Charlottesville, Va., last month, even after a man with white supremacist ties was charged with murder over the rally violence.
Sort of like the August 15, 2017 press conference and John Kelly, Chief of Staff when Trump ranted about Charlottesville. pic.twitter.com/kEgFJGw4Uz
— Ceiling Cat (@BedBugCrazy) September 19, 2017
The photos come as reports of tension between Trump and the former military general have recently surfaced.
The Washington Post reported last month Trump was growing angry with Kelly's stricter rules about who can see the president and which news stories can reach him.
Despite the reports, Trump has continued to voice his support of Kelly.
General John Kelly is doing a great job as Chief of Staff. I could not be happier or more impressed - and this Administration continues to..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2017
...get things done at a record clip. Many big decisions to be made over the coming days and weeks. AMERICA FIRST!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2017