Donald Trump “constantly” talks about forcing staff to take lie detector tests, according to former administration officials who claim his penchant for polygraphs offers a window into the paranoia that has enveloped the White House.

The president has become routinely obsessed over leaks from the executive branch since taking office, comparing those who disseminate information with spies while accusing anonymous media sources of being “made up”.

Now four former officials who worked under the president have claimed he repeatedly called for polygraph tests to be carried out on staffers, according to Politico.

A former White House official told the publication “he talked about it a lot”, adding that after becoming irate over reports about his presidency he would ask aides “why can’t we stop these things?”.

A second added that the president became particularly furious whenever the reports were true.

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“He wanted to polygraph every employee in the building to unearth who it was who spoke to the press” the former official added.

Popularised by reality TV show hosts like Jerry Springer and Jeremy Kyle, polygraph tests claim to be able to tell if a subject is lying based on signs of arousal, including changes heart rate and breathing.

However, the science behind them has long been disputed. The American Psychology Association has said most in the field agree “there is little evidence that polygraph tests can accurately detect lies”, while noting it is possible to beat the test using methods including physical movements and drugs that alter arousal patterns.

The subject was reportedly first considered amid a series of leaks in the first six months of his presidency, however each time the topic was brought up senior officials would argue the drastic step would be counterproductive.

But seven officials told the publication there had been talks among senior staff to introduce the exams, while legal advisors are said to have looked into whether such a policy would be possible.

Last year senator Rand Paul said polygraph exams should be used to unearth the writer of a critical anonymous op-ed published by the New York Times. Shortly afterwards Vice President Mike Pence said he would take one of the tests “in a heartbeat” to prove his loyalty to Mr Trump.

Despite the tests never being deployed, officials have said the president’s approach to them are indicative of the way he runs his White House.

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“The way he does business a lot of times is just keep saying things over and over and over again and hopes that somebody does it” one said, adding that never explicitly ordering an action maintains his deniability.

Stephanie Grisham, the White House press secretary, said: “I think the president and anyone in his administration have the right to be frustrated and even angry about leaks.

“Leaking information, which is often times classified, only hurts this country.