Trump aide resigns after meeting with journalists

DONALD TRUMP’S personal assistant and “gatekeeper” has resigned as reports emerged that the US president learnt she had a recent off-the-record dinner with reporters.

Madeleine Westerhout had a desk just outside of the Oval Office and is credited with having influence that comes with such proximity to power.

Mr Trump once said Ms Westerhout was the “secret” for how to get access to him and reportedly was known to call her “my beauty”.

The New York Times, which broke the news, reported that the president found out Ms Westerhout had met reporters staying near his Bedminster golf resort in New Jersey during his working vacation there.

The paper referenced one source saying that Ms Westerhout was alleged to have indiscreetly shared details about Mr Trump’s family and Oval Office operations.

The White House declined to comment on staffing matters. Ms Westerhout is also yet to comment.

The 29-year-old was earning $145,000 (£120,000) a year as a special assistant to the president and director of Oval Office operations. She had previously worked on Mitt Romney’s election campaign in 2012.

A recent book on the Republican Party, American Carnage, reported that Ms Westerhout was seen crying on the night Mr Trump won the 2016 election – though unnamed figures in other media reports have questioned that.

Since taking the job, Ms Westerhout has kept a low profile, not appearing in media interviews. She was occasionally seen by Mr Trump’s side at events.

The reported departure further pushes up the count of White House insiders who have left during Mr Trump’s two-and-a-half years in office.