Hope Hicks cut a downcast figure as she headed to work on Thursday morning, amid the news that she and her ex-boyfriend Rob Porter have broken up after he was accused of domestic violence by two ex-wives.
The White House communications director, 29, left her Washington, D.C. residence on Thursday morning a little after 7, donning a casual $69.90 safari jacket from Zara over an all-black outfit, keeping things simple in a turtleneck and tailored pants.
Her eyes were trained straight ahead as she walked towards her parked vehicle with a large black purse in her hands, as well as a pair of glasses, which she then safely tucked inside her bag.
Forlorn: Hope Hicks cut a downcast figure as she headed to work on Thursday morning, amid the news that she and her ex-boyfriend Rob Porter have broken up
Greeting the day: The White House communications director, 29, left her Washington, D.C. residence this morning a little after 7
Focus: She kept her eyes trained ahead of herself as she walked towards her parked vehicle before stepping inside
Hands full: Hicks was carrying a large black purse, her smartphone, and a pair of glasses, which she ended up tucking safely inside her bag
Windy? The White House communications director tried to keep her hair out of her face
Dressing down: Hicks was donning a $69.90 casual safari jacket from Zara over an all-black outfit, keeping things simple in a turtleneck and tailored pants
Any messages? She checked her smartphone before hopping onto her parked vehicle
Expressions: While Hicks seemed in high spirits when she headed out on Valentine’s Day, on Thursday morning she kept a straight face
Accessories: Hicks added a chic touch to her outfit thanks to a pair of five-inch stilettos
While Hicks seemed in high spirits when she headed out on Valentine’s Day, on Thursday morning she kept a straight face as she boarded her vehicle.
On Wednesday, one person close to Hicks told DailyMail.com that Hicks and Porter’s dating came to an end after Porter resigned last week when his two ex-wives came forward to accuse him of abuse.
The revelations by DailyMail.com have set of a crisis in the White House over the handling of Porter’s past.
The pair were on their way to becoming a bona fide Washington power couple, as two of President Donald Trump’s most trusted and closest aides.
But their falling out was seen as inevitable, one West Wing aide said Wednesday, after Porter’s two ex-wives accused him of spousal abuse.
Break-up: On Wednesday, one person close to Hicks told DailyMail.com that Hicks and Porter’s dating came to an end after Porter resigned last week
Former duo: Hicks and Porter were on their way to becoming a bona fide Washington power couple, as two of President Donald Trump ‘s most trusted and closest aides
Separate ways: But Hicks and Porter’s falling out was seen as inevitable, one West Wing aide said Wednesday, after Porter’s two ex-wives accused him of spousal abuse
Praise: ‘Hope is smarter than some people give her credit for,’ the White House official said. ‘She’s an incredibly strong woman, independent-minded’
It’s over: A second person close to Hicks confirmed Wednesday that she and Porter had gone their separate ways following the accusations of abuse against Porter
Who made the call? It is so far unknown who out of Hicks and Porter ended the relationship
Together: DailyMail.com first reported less than two weeks ago that Hicks and Porter became an item in November
Decisions: In the intervening hours, Hicks herself was involved in some of the deliberations about whether and how to defend her then-boyfriend
Statement: Kellyanne Conway expressed her support for Hicks on Wednesday
Remarks: Amid fears that Porter’s past could become Hicks’ present, Conway declared on CNN’s ‘State of the Union’ program: ‘I don’t worry about her in that respect’
Entourage: Conway said Hicks had ‘a great support system around her’ including West Wing colleagues, along with a big advocate in the Oval Office
‘Hope is smarter than some people give her credit for,’ the White House official said.
‘She’s an incredibly strong woman, independent-minded, and a tireless supporter of President Trump.’
A second person close to Hicks confirmed Wednesday that she and Porter had gone their separate ways.
It is so far unknown who ended the relationship.
DailyMail.com first reported less than two weeks ago that the couple became an item in November.
That revelation led to an avalanche of controversy as Porter’s former spouses shared their stories with DailyMail.com, and then with other news outlets.
The result has become a powerful object lesson in the emotional scars battered women can carry with them long after their abusive relationships end.
It has also brought about a sense of national outrage about how the White House grants security clearances to aides who have access to classified information.
In high spirits: Hicks was all smiles as she stepped out of her residence on Wednesday
Theme: On Valentine’s Day, Hicks was carrying a supermarket bag with the word ‘love’ on it
Porter had been working at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on a temporary clearance, as are dozens of other political appointees in the White House complex.
When DailyMail.com first confronted the White House eight days ago with an account from Porter’s second wife, the West Wing went into a frenzy of activity – until publication of his first wife’s gruesome black-eye photos led to his eventual exit.
In the intervening hours, Hicks herself was involved in some of the deliberations about whether and how to defend her then-boyfriend.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters cryptically on Tuesday that Hicks ‘was not part of a lot of the conversations that took place’.
‘I don’t recall any of you being in the room,’ Sanders snarked, ‘to be able to say specifically what comments she made or didn’t make.’
Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway expressed her support for Hicks on Wednesday, and referred DailyMail.com to her remarks three days earlier on CNN.
Past: Hicks and Porter were pictured last month going on a date in D.C.
How it started: Porter and Hicks, pictured in China in November, began dating that month
Speaking out: Colbie Holderness, Porter’s first wife, (left) told DailyMail.com that he repeatedly punched and choked her. His second wife Jennifer Willoughby (right) has also claimed that Porter was abusive in their marriage
Amid fears that Porter’s past could become Hicks’ present, Conway declared on CNN’s ‘State of the Union’ program: ‘I don’t worry about her in that respect.’
‘In the case of Hope, I have rarely met somebody so strong with such excellent – excellent – instincts and loyalty and smarts,’ she added.
‘I didn’t have the presence of mind and the professional capabilities at her age that I see in her every single day.’
Conway said Hicks had ‘a great support system around her’ including West Wing colleagues, along with a big advocate in the Oval Office.
‘Hope is absolutely fantastic,’ President Trump said Saturday through a spokesperson.
‘She was with the campaign from the beginning, and I could not ask for anything more. Hope is smart, very talented and respected by all.’
Trump declared Wednesday in the wake of the Porter crisis that he is ‘totally opposed to domestic violence of any kind.’
‘Everyone knows that,’ Trump told reporters, ‘and it almost wouldn’t even have to be said.’
But with support for Chief of Staff John Kelly waning inside the White House, Trump continued on Wednesday to miss easy opportunities to give the retired Marine Corps general his public backing.
‘Did your staff handle the [Rob] Porter allegations properly?’ one reporter asked him following a planned event to tout his infrastructure plans. ‘Is General Kelly’s job safe?’ another shouted.
The president sat stone-faced, uttering an occasional ‘thank you’ while his press aides shooed journalists and cameramen out of the Cabinet Room.