Who Is Madeleine Westerhout? Trump's Personal Assistant Fired After Leaks About Ivanka, Tiffany

The White House and Trump's personal assistant Madeleine Westerhout parted ways Thursday after she reportedly disclosed details about Trump's family in off-the-record discussions with reporters. Westerhout is now considered a "separated employee," though her past involvement within the White House has prompted media interest in a ubiquitous staffer who was often referred to as "elevator girl" or the "Trump Tower girl."

Westerhout exit came after she told reporters that she had a better relationship with Trump than his own daughters, Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump. She also said President Trump doesn't like taking photos with Tiffany Trump because he thinks she is overweight and that he wouldn't be able to pick Tiffany out of a crowd.

Tiffany Trump, a Georgetown law student, reportedly has a strained relationship with her dad, and will not play a role in his 2020 election campaign.

President Trump would later say Westerhout made the comments while drinking alcohol.

"I really think she had a bad night. I think it was unfortunate, she said she was drinking and the whole thing was unfortunate," President Trump said Friday about Westerhout's comments. He said her remarks were "just a little bit hurtful to some people," but that she is a "very good person."

The comments were made during President Trump's visit to his New Jersey golf course earlier this month.

Westerhout, 28, was seen as an outsider by many in President Trump's inner circle, as she came from the Republican National Committee and wasn't on his presidential campaign. In Tim Alberta's book, “American Carnage,” he noted that on election night Westerhout was seen crying because she was upset that Trump won.

Few knew much about Westerhout before this week. After the election, and as President Trump was set to move into the White House, Westerhout was called "elevator girl" as she was frequently photographed while welcoming guests to Trump Tower. She was seen as a major gatekeeper to the president, with President Trump sometimes referring to her as "my beauty."

Westerhout, who graduated from the College of Charleston with a political science degree, has mostly kept a low profile despite her high-profile position, not engaging in public interviews. Early into President Trump's transition, Westerhout, a former fitness instructor, ended speculation about her status within the administration when she posted on Twitter: "It's me! I'm the 'greeter girl!"

Westerhout's first foray into Republican politics was as an intern for Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.

She has 12,400 followers on Twitter and often retweeted President Trump's comments. Westerhout has over 9,000 followers on Instagram, an account that she keeps private.

The Orange County, California-native, reportedly has been in a relationship with Ben Schramm, a political appointee at the Pentagon and a former Marine social aide at the White House, according to Politico.

It was revealed in June 2018 that Westerhout had a salary of $130,000.

Westerhout's departure is the latest in an administration with a high turnover rate.