Reuters/Carlo Allegri
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to press secretary Hope Hicks on the golf course at his Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen, Scotland, June 25, 2016.
- President Donald Trump reportedly berated Hope Hicks for testimony she gave to lawmakers on the House Intelligence Committee during which she admitted telling white lies for him.
- That development came Wednesday, hours after Hicks announced her resignation as White House communications director.
- Hicks had been on thin ice since at least early February, when she was entangled in the fallout over the resignation of Rob Porter, another top-level staffer.
President Donald Trump berated Hope Hicks, his White House communications director, for testimony she gave to US lawmakers this week during which she admitted to telling white lies on behalf of Trump, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing an ally of the president.
CNN's source described Hicks as Trump's "last emotional crutch," suggesting that her admission to the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday aggravated an already tense situation.
Hicks had been under scrutiny since at least early February for her role in the White House's handling of the scandal surrounding Rob Porter, the former staff secretary who was accused of physically and emotionally abusing two of his ex-wives.
Hicks had been romantically involved with Porter was said to have helped write a White House statement defending him amid the allegations.
"What happened yesterday just put the nail in the coffin for her," said April Ryan, a White House correspondent and CNN contributor. Citing her own sources in the West Wing, Ryan said Hicks had given a tentative resignation after the Porter incident. She suggested that what happened on Wednesday "was a forced resignation."