Nick Ayers says NOPE: Trump pick to replace John Kelly will not be new WH chief of staff

Smart guy. Has 6-year-old triplets. Knows a shitshow when he smells one.

Nick Ayers, who is currently Vice President Mike Pence's Chief of Staff, will NOT become the next Next White House Chief of Staff.

NEWS - Pence Chief of Staff Nick Ayers Won't Be Next White House Staff Chief -- Sources https://t.co/MFh95DTwBJ

- Michael C. Bender (@MichaelCBender) December 9, 2018

Nick Ayers, the leading candidate to replace John Kelly as chief of staff, won't take the job, I'm told. He and Trump could not agree to terms. Trump pushed Ayers to commit to 2 years, but he declined, citing young kids & desire to move back to GA. Unclear who will take the job.

- Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) December 9, 2018

Ayers was Donald Trump's first choice as a candidate to replace outgoing chief of staff John Kelly.

He also tweeted the news himself.

Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause. #Georgia

- Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018

He has triplets, and that is the reason given for why Ayers will not be taking the job, a White House official told the Wall Street Journal, and later CNN and other outlets, on Sunday.

WSJ:

It was unclear on Sunday who would succeed John Kelly, Mr. Trump's current chief of staff, who is leaving the job this month. White House officials familiar with the planning said it was unclear whether the next staff chief would come from inside or outside the administration.

Mr. Ayers has long planned to leave the administration at the end of the year.

And CNN:

Ayers, who has served as Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff for more than a year, is not taking the position because the President and Ayers could not agree to terms, the official said. Trump pushed Ayers to commit to two years on the job, but he declined. He has young children, he told the President, and wants to move back to his home state of Georgia. He offered to become chief of staff temporarily, but Trump insisted on a two-year commitment.

The Wall Street Journal first reported that Ayers would not be taking the job as Trump's chief of staff.

Trump told reporters Saturday that Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general and Trump's previous secretary of homeland security, will leave at the end of year.

Ayers leaving administration, potentially taking role with America First, the outside group backing Trump. He would not agree to the long-term that Trump wanted, as his family heads back to Georgia https://t.co/fwK7FAXw8x

- Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) December 9, 2018