The former ExxonMobil chief executive is a new neighbour of the Obamas after buying a $5.6 million house in Kalorama, Washington DC from former AOL executive Richard Hanlon and his wife, according to reports in the US.

The long-time oil man, who had a series of tense high-level meetings in Mexico last week, bought the four-bedroom property on 10 February, not long after being confirmed in his new political role.

Tillerson