Madeleine Westerhout, Donald Trump’s long-time personal executive assistant, finds herself out of a job after sharing intimate personal information about Trump’s family during a dinner with news reporters. Although Westerhout claimed her comments were made off-the-record, she is still bound by a confidentiality act stipulated under the Hatch Act.
Later, a reporter who said Madeleine did not state that her remarks about Trump’s family were to be treated as off-the-record, divulged the details of what transpired at the dinner. The executive assistant’s fallout from the Trump administration only marks the POTUS’ troubles with the extensive information leaks that have been coming out of the White House. The incident also makes Westerhout the sixth White House staff has breached the Hatch Act, since 2018.
Madeline’s departure also highlights the series of resignations currently besetting the Trump Administration.
What Personal Information Did Madeleine Westerhout Share with Reporters?
Apparently, Westerhout had one drink too many during the dinner that she and White House Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley attended at the Embassy Suites where reporters stayed to cover Trump’s visit. Such dinners are said to be common but are supposed to be off-the-record as far as any conversations that may have taken place during the gathering.
According to political news website Politico, Westerhout said that Trump will not be able to pick out Tiffany if ever she becomes part of the many faces in a crowd. CNN also reported her claim that she (Madeleine) enjoys a stronger relationship with Trump than Tiffany or even Ivanka. Another CNN report said Madeleine told the group that Trump prefers not to be photographed with Tiffany, because he thinks is youngest daughter is “overweight.”
Still, Trump who learned of Madeleine’s revelations to reporters said he understands why the incident happened, although it does not mean she is off the hook. He later tweeted that since Madeleine is a very good person, he does not see any reason to enforce full punishment over her violation of her confidentiality agreement with the White House.
