“Westerhout said they have one of mutual respect” Madeleine Westerhout Breaks Down in Tears During Testimony at Trump’s Hush Money Trial
SOURCE: MEGA
During Donald Trump’s hush money trial, former White House aide Madeleine Westerhout broke down in tears while recounting how she lost her job in the Trump administration. Her emotional testimony took place on Thursday afternoon as she was asked about Trump’s relationship with his wife, Melania.
Reporter Adam McBrien, who was present in the courtroom, noted Westerhout’s emotional reaction as she recounted the events leading to her departure from the White House. “Westerhout begins to break down and cry as she recounts the circumstances of her departure from the White House,” McBrien wrote. “She had said some things she wasn’t supposed to during what she believed to be an off-the-record dinner with a reporter, she says.”
“Westerhout said they have one of mutual respect, he cared a lot about what she thought, and they would laugh a lot,” Westerhout said of the relationship, according to Scripps News. “She says they laughed a lot when they came into the Oval Office. Westerhout said Trump would have her call Melania if she was running late.”
Wiping away tears, Westerhout appeared genuinely remorseful. “She seems genuinely regretful about the whole episode,” McBrien continued. Westerhout left her role in the Trump administration after making comments about the president’s relationship with Melania during a dinner with a journalist. Believing the conversation to be off the record, she spoke candidly but later realized the repercussions of her words.
Lawfare’s Tyler McBrien reported that Westerhout described Trump’s wife as “in charge” even though Trump was “the boss.” Westerhout became emotional as she recalled how she lost her White House job.
Following her departure, Westerhout wrote a book about her experience in the White House titled Off the Record: My Dream Job at the White House, How I Lost It, and What I Learned. In the book, she provides an insider’s perspective on her time working for Trump, detailing her journey from an enthusiastic aide to a remorseful former staffer.
Despite the book and her public departure, Westerhout suggested during the hearing that she still sought Trump’s acceptance. Her testimony highlighted the complex dynamics between Trump and his former staff, particularly those who have since left the administration.
Westerhout served as Trump’s executive assistant and director of Oval Office operations before her resignation in August 2019. Her departure was a result of comments she made at an off-the-record dinner with reporters. Among other things, she reportedly joked that Trump found his daughter Ivanka more attractive than Melania and that he didn’t like being photographed with Tiffany, his younger daughter.
After her resignation, Trump spoke sympathetically about Westerhout, calling her a “very good person” who made a mistake and adding that he wished her well. However, her testimony at the hush money trial offered a different perspective, revealing the emotional toll her departure took on her.
After admitting she was not approved to purchase a picture frame, she turned to Trump and said, “Sorry, sir.”
Her involvement in the trial provides context to Trump’s broader legal troubles, which include allegations of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments made ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors argue that these payments were intended to silence individuals who claimed to have had affairs with Trump, including adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Westerhout’s testimony may not directly influence the case’s outcome, but it sheds light on the internal workings of Trump’s White House and the personal dynamics that often influenced decision-making. Her emotional breakdown underscores the high stakes and personal sacrifices involved in serving at the highest levels of government.
As the trial continues, Westerhout’s account adds another layer to the intricate web of relationships and events surrounding Trump’s presidency. Despite her regret over the episode, her desire for acceptance and understanding from Trump remains clear, reflecting the lingering loyalty that many former aides still hold for the former president.
