See Trump kiss his only Hope goodbye

President Donald Trump’s communications director and one-time “Gossip Girl” novel cover model, Hope Hicks, celebrated her last day at the White House on Thursday in a sendoff with well-wishes and cheek kisses from her former boss.

The “Trump whisperer,” 29, announced her resignation in late February, a day after admitting to a congressional committee that she'd told “white lies” on behalf of the president. At the time, Trump released a statement calling Hicks “outstanding,” “as smart and thoughtful as they come,” and “a truly great person.” His affections appear not to have faded. He personally escorted her out of the White House on Thursday before he left for an event in Richfield, Ohio, to promote his infrastructure plan.

As Trump’s longest-serving political aide, Hicks also became known as one of his closest, almost like a “security blanket,” as one source told Vanity Fair, and collected myriad titles. She served as White House director of strategic communications and, before that, communications director for Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

While Hicks hasn’t announced her next steps, she left the White House with a smile straight out of a Ralph Lauren ad.

“There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to President Trump,” Hicks said in a statement. “I wish the president and his administration the very best as he continues to lead our country."

Cover image: President Donald Trump kisses White House communications director Hope Hicks on her last day before he boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 29, 2018, for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and then on to Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)