Donald Trump’s personal assistant Madeleine Westerhout, who has served as his right hand since day 1 of his administration, resigned Thursday, according to sources close to Westerhout.
The abrupt departure came after Trump allegedly learned that Westerhout indiscreetly shared details about his family, and Oval Office operations she knew of, at an off-the-record dinner with journalists who were staying at hotels near Bedminster, N.J., while Trump was also in town.
The breach of trust meant immediate action, and Ms. Westerhout is now considered a “separated employee” and is not allowed to return to the White House on Friday, according to a close source.
Westerhout, a former Republican National Committee aide who reportedly cried on election night because she was upset over Trump’s victory, was initially viewed as a late convert to his cause who could not be trusted.
However, some of Trump’s top officials — like John F. Kelly, who has also since resigned as chief of staff — tried to turn Ms. Westerhout into an ally who could help them manage the Oval Office day to day…similar to the typical secretary duties.
The White House nor Westerhout have made a statement regarding the separation.
