President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE reportedly suggested that Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, get a pay raise after learning that he made less than $200,000.

The Washington Post reported on Sunday that White House chief of staff John Kelly John Francis KellyMORE has told people that he asked the president about the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's salary.

Kelly had reportedly asked Trump to name how much the official made. Trump replied $5 million, people who were told the story by Kelly told the Post.

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Kelly, who was reportedly startled by the answer, told Trump that Dunford's position received a salary of less than $200,000.

The revelation led Trump to suggest that Dunford get a large raise, noting how many stars he had on his uniform.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

The anecdote about Trump's interaction with Kelly was a part of a larger report on Trump's push to reduce the federal deficit, even as he attempts to institute some policies that will increase spending.

Government debt has increased by roughly $1.7 trillion since Trump became president in January 2017. The budget deficit also increased 17 percent in the 2018 fiscal year.

Trump vowed to begin reducing the national debt while speaking at an event on workplace development in late October.