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Who is Hope Hicks dating? A look at her relationships as Trump's close aide tests positive for Covid-19

Hicks was a former model and has reportedly been in relationships with 2 men who have close connections with the Trump administration

BY PRIYAMVADA RANA

UPDATED OCT 2, 2020

President Donald Trump’s senior-most and closest White House aide, Hope Hicks, has tested positive for the Covid-19. Reports suggest that Hicks, who serves as counselor to Trump had been in close proximity to POTUS and had traveled with him to a rally in Minnesota on September 30 after which she tested positive on Thursday, October 1. As per Associated Press, the White House has not immediately responded to numerous questions about the last time POTUS was tested for Covid-19. Further, there are doubts whether he and other staffers who spent time with Hicks in recent days will be asked to quarantine, AP reported.

Trump wrote a tweet on Hick’s health, “Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible! The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!”

Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible! The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020

Former White House communications director Hope Hicks leaves the hearing room during a break at a closed-door interview with the House Judiciary Committee on June 19, 2019 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Hicks is the first former Trump aide to testify before the panel’s investigation into special counsel Robert Mueller’s report and obstruction of justice.(Getty Images)

In a statement, White House spokesman Judd Deere said the president “takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously.” He reportedly added, “White House Operations collaborates with the Physician to the President and the White House Military Office to ensure all plans and procedures incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the President is traveling.

Media reports suggest that Hicks traveled with POTUS including aboard Marine One, the presidential helicopter, and on Air Force One to a rally in Minnesota Wednesday, and aboard Air Force One to Tuesday night’s first presidential debate in Cleveland as per Associated Press.

While Hicks has ventured into communication-related roles in her career, she was a former model too and has her share of relationships with men close to the Trump administration. Town and Country reported that at just the age of 11, Hicks and her sister were hired for a Ralph Lauren campaign. She has also been featured on the cover of a Gossip Girl series offshoot and was tapped as the face of the Hourglass Adventures, a set of novels about a time-traveling 10-year-old. She also forayed into acting and did a cameo on Guiding Light.

As we only know her through the lens of politics it would be worth knowing Hicks through the prism of her relationships.

A look at Hope Hicks’ relationships

Hope Hicks who has been a public relations consultant was named counselor to President Donald Trump in February 2020. Though not all the functions of her present role are clear, it appears that she has continued to be involved with Trump's communications strategy as well as his reelection campaign as reported by Town and Country. Hicks dated Rob Porter in 2018 when he was White House staff secretary. At that time, Porter was mired in controversies after two of his ex-wives came forward to allege abuse ultimately leading to his resignation. It was at this time, that Hicks, who was dating Porter and serving as White House communications director helped in crafting her boyfriend’s public statement as reported by CBS News.

White House chief of staff John Kelly, (L), walks with staff secretary Rob Porter, (C), and White House senior advisor Stephen Miller, before boarding Marine One to depart from the White House with President Donald Trump, on February 1, 2018 in Washington, DC.

Vox reported that her handling of the White House’s response to the abuse allegations against Porter had infuriated Trump who felt Hicks had reportedly put herself before the White House in the Porter scandal. Media reports suggest that Hicks split from her boyfriend, Porter, in December 2018. This came after the two resigned from their respective positions in the White House post the Porter scandal as reported by Page Six. A source told the website, “Hope and Rob have split. Hope’s in LA and making a fresh start. She’s got a good head on her shoulders and it’s time to move on. She’s a smart cookie — she’ll be fine.”

Hope Hicks, White House director of strategic communications, arrives to a swearing in ceremony of White House senior staff in the East Room of the White House on January 22, 2017 in Washington, DC. Trump today mocked protesters who gathered for large demonstrations across the U.S. and the world on Saturday to signal discontent with his leadership, but later offered a more conciliatory tone, saying he recognized such marches as a "hallmark of our democracy."(Getty Images)

Who is Hope Hicks dating?

The 31-year-old top aide in Trump’s regime, Hicks, is said to be dating banking company Goldman Sachs' Managing Director Jim Donovan as per Distractify. The site mentions Jim Donovan as a member of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board too. Page Six reported in March this year that the pair were spotted together in both Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

White House Communications Director and presidential advisor Hope Hicks (2nd L) arrives at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center February 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. Hicks is scheduled to testify behind closed doors to the House Intelligence Committee in its ongoing investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election.(Getty Images)

A source told Page Six about Hicks’ romance with Donovan, “They have been seeing each other for a few months. Jim is a very smart guy, and things have been going well. She really likes him.” Page Six reported on the profile of Donovan that he is responsible for advising many of the largest corporate and individual clients of banking firm Goldman Sachs. The site also mentions that Donovan has close relations with the Trump administration. In 2017, Trump nominated Donovan to serve as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, though he withdrew himself from consideration. Later, Donovan was appointed to serve as a member of the president’s Intelligence Advisory Board, Page Six reports.