Trump’s Hope walks out door: Hope Hicks resigns

One of Donald Trump’s most trusted aides, White House `communications director Hope Hicks, resigned yesterday.

White House communications director Hope Hicks, one of Donald Trump's closest aides, has resigned.

One of Donald Trump’s most trusted aides, White House communications director Hope Hicks, resigned yesterday, a day after she told a congressional investigation she had told “white lies” for the President.

Ms Hicks, 29, is considered Mr Trump’s most loyal confidante ­behind his family and was central to shaping his public image.

It comes after a torrid few months for Ms Hicks, who keeps a low profile but has found herself in the spotlight over the Russia investigation and the scandal surrounding her boyfriend and former White House aide Rob Porter.

It also comes a day after Ms Hicks gave eight hours of testimony before the house intelligence committee in which she said she occasionally told “white lies” on behalf of the President. But she said she did not lie in relation to the Russia investigation.

During questioning on Wednesday, Ms Hicks refused to answer questions about events and conversations that had occurred inside the Trump administration.

But White House sources say her resignation was unrelated to the testimony and that she had told colleagues several days ago of her plans.

“Hope is outstanding and has done great work for the last three years,” Mr Trump said. “She is as smart and thoughtful as they come, a truly great person. I will miss having her by my side, but when she approached me about pursuing other opportunities, I ­totally understood. I am sure we will work together again in the ­future.”

Ms Hicks said: “There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to President Trump. I wish the President and his administration the very best as he continues to lead our country.”

Ms Hicks was one of the few constant presences in a Trump White House with an unusually high turnover of advisers, aides and communications staff.

During the 2016 presidential campaign she was a linchpin in the Trump election machine.

Ms Hicks is the fourth White House communications director or press secretary to depart following Sean Spencer, Michael Duke and Anthony Scaramucci.

White House chief of staff John Kelly said she would be sorely missed. “I quickly realised what so many have learned about Hope: She is strategic, poised and wise beyond her years,” he said. “She became a trusted adviser and counsellor, and did a tremendous job overseeing the communications for the President’s agenda, including the passage of historic tax reform. She has served her country with great distinction. To say that she will be missed is an understatement.”

Ms Hicks has been interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is heading the probe into ­alleged links between Russia and the Trump team.

It also comes only weeks after Mr Porter was forced to resign after being accused by two former wives of physical abuse.

Ms Hicks was criticised at the time for helping draft a statement in which Mr Kelly was quoted ­defending Mr Porter as a “man of true integrity”. The following day, after an ex-wife released a picture of herself with a black eye, Mr Porter was forced to resign.

Ms Hicks had a meteoric rise in the White House after she was employed by the Trump Organisation in 2014. She had no previous political experience, having been a Ralph Lauren fashion model and then a public relations person who worked for Mr Trump’s daughter Ivanka.

She joined the 2016 presidential campaign as press secretary — her first political job. A role was created for her in the Trump ­administration as White House director of strategic com­muni­cations and within a year she took over as communications director. She has declined interviews and not appeared at White House press briefings.

The White House has dealt with a series of controversies in ­recent weeks, including the President’s son-in-law and senior ­adviser Jared Kushner losing his top secret security clearance ­because of his unusual dealings with foreign officials.

It was reported this week that at least four countries had discussed ways they could manipulate Mr Kushner by taking advantage of his financial situation and his lack of foreign policy experience. Mr Kelly has also been under pressure for his handling of the controversy and resignation of Mr Porter.