quelling rumors of an imminent departure due to tensions with President Trump
Here's how the media stays in business.
Step I: Create a rumor, any rumor about the current administration. The more uncorroborated the better.
Step II: Turn any subsequent news from the WH into their rebuttal to the fabricated rumor.
Step III: Discuss the change in the original rumor for two consecutive news cycles.
Step IV: Stand down. Catch breathe.
Step V: Repeat steps I through IV.
This story from The Hill is Step II.