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If Donald Trump says you are a ‘good man’, it may be a bad omen

Donald Trump (R), along with Health and Human Services secretary Tom Price (C) enters the US Capitol for a meeting with Republican lawmakers on his health care bill in Washington. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO

BRANCHBURG, N.J. – Sometimes it’s better not to be a nice guy.

President Donald Trump has dismissed and accepted the resignations of a growing list of administration officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price.

READ MORE: Donald Trump criticizes Puerto Rican mayor on Twitter amid Hurricane Maria recovery

Trump said before the news broke that he was disappointed with Price for reportedly taking numerous, expensive charter flights, when cheaper commercial options were available. But he also offered compliments.

WATCH: Tom Price resigns shortly after Trump says he’s ‘not happy’ over scandal

Click to play video: 'Tom Price resigns shortly after Trump says he’s ‘not happy’ over scandal'
Tom Price resigns shortly after Trump says he’s ‘not happy’ over scandal

“He’s a very, very fine man,” Trump repeated as he departed the White House en route to his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

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“I felt very badly because Secretary Price is a good man,” Trump said, adding later: “I think it’s a shame because as a human being, Tom Price is very good man.”

It’s not the first time Trump has offered praise just before or after showing someone the door.

As Trump was preparing to part ways with his former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, he was asked about Bannon’s fate at a news conference in New York.

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“I like Mr. Bannon. He’s a friend of mine,” said Trump, before trying to distance himself from his former general election CEO by pointing out that he’d won the primaries before Bannon came on board.

READ MORE: U.S. health secretary Tom Price resigns amid private plane scandal

“I like him. He’s a good man. He is not a racist, I can tell you that,” Trump said, adding: “He’s a good person and I think the press treats him, frankly, very unfairly.”

WATCH: Trump: Steve Bannon is ‘not a racist, he’s a good person’

Click to play video: 'Trump: Steve Bannon is ‘not a racist, he’s a good person’'
Trump: Steve Bannon is ‘not a racist, he’s a good person’

Days later, Bannon was out.

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It was a similar case for Trump’s chief of staff, Reince Priebus. Trump announced he was replacing Priebus via tweet from aboard Air Force One last July. Not long after, Trump spoke with reporters on a rainy tarmac, where he repeated his “good man” kiss of death.

“Reince is a good man. John Kelly will do a fantastic job. Gen. Kelly has been a star, done an incredible job thus far. Respected by everybody. A great, great American.”

WATCH: Reince Priebus out as White House chief of staff

Click to play video: 'Reince Priebus out as White House chief of staff'
Reince Priebus out as White House chief of staff

As for Priebus? “Reince Priebus, a good man,” Trump repeated, sounding like a tombstone engraving.

READ MORE: San Juan mayor slams Trump official for saying Puerto Rico response is a ‘good news story’

Trump also had kind words for his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, whose dismissal he has seemed to most regret.

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The day after Flynn’s forced resignation, Trump called Flynn “a wonderful man” at a White House news conference and again blamed the news media for treating him “very, very unfairly.”

WATCH: Trump: Michael Flynn a ‘wonderful man’ who’s been ‘treated unfairly’

Click to play video: 'Trump: Michael Flynn a ‘wonderful man’ who’s been ‘treated unfairly’'
Trump: Michael Flynn a ‘wonderful man’ who’s been ‘treated unfairly’

He also defended taking so long to dismiss Flynn after being warned of potential issues.

“This man has served for many years,” Trump said in an interview with NBC News. “He’s a general, he’s a – in my opinion – a very good person.”

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