10 things you need to know today: January 6, 2018

Trump says he is a "very stable genius," brutal cold grips the Northeast, and more

The cover of 'Fire and Fury'
(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

1. Trump says he is 'like, really smart' and a 'very stable genius'

In a flurry of tweets Saturday, President Trump defended his own mental stability and complained about author Michael Wolff's White House tell-all book Fire and Fury. After calling Wolff a "total loser" and slamming his controversial book, in which he reports that members of Trump's team have said they do not believe he is capable of functioning in the job, Trump went on to tout his own genius, saying, "throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart." He said his triumphs in business and politics prove he is "a very stable genius." On Friday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson denied ever questioning the mental health of the president. "I've never questioned his mental fitness," Tillerson told CNN. "I have no reason to question his mental fitness."

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Jessica Hullinger

Jessica Hullinger is a writer and former deputy editor of The Week Digital. Originally from the American Midwest, she completed a degree in journalism at Indiana University Bloomington before relocating to New York City, where she pursued a career in media. After joining The Week as an intern in 2010, she served as the title’s audience development manager, senior editor and deputy editor, as well as a regular guest on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. Her writing has featured in other publications including Popular Science, Fast Company, Fortune, and Self magazine, and she loves covering science and climate-related issues.