CNN anchor Erin Burnett reported Friday that Hope Hicks left the White House after being berated by President Donald Trump for being “so stupid” in admitting to Congress she sometimes tells lies for the president.

“Breaking news, White House in turmoil. Hope Hicks — the White House communications director and perhaps the president’s closest confidante — gone, abruptly resigning, just a day after admitting she’s told lies for the president,” Burnet explained. “Just to give you an idea how vital Hicks is to the president. One of the president’s close allies telling me tonight, quote, ‘she was his last emotional crutch’ — that’s how crucial she is.”

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“That source telling me Hicks departure was sudden,” Burnett continued. “The source saying Trump berated Hicks after her testimony to Congress yesterday, you know, the nine hours in which she admitted to telling lies on behalf of the president.”

“According to the source, Trump asked Hicks after the testimony, how she could she be so stupid,” Burnett continued. “And apparently that was the final straw for Hope Hicks.”

“What are you learning about Hope Hicks’ stunning departure?” Burnett asked CNN White House correspondent Jeff Zeleny.

“There’s no question that we have stood here several times over the last thirteen months and talked about a resignation or departure, this one is different,” Zeleny explained. “Hope Hicks was not a political expert, but she was a Donald Trump expert.”

“She played a major role here,” Zeleny continued. “So this is coming across as a major bombshell.”

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“People across the West Wing were surprised, people were crying, they were upset,” Zeleny reported. “In fact, when she held a meeting with the few small staffers who report to her, she was crying and upset.”

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