The ugly side of pressure on White House women to maintain Trump’s ‘Maga perfect’ image

Women working in US President Donald Trump’s White House were not surprised that press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced last week she was leaving her job – and they do not think it was just because she wants to spend time with her young children.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, several anonymous White House employees spoke of the pressure that Leavitt, executive assistant Natalie Harper and other female staff are under to adhere daily to a “Maga perfect” standard of beauty that requires a lot of time, energy and money.

The beauty routine can involve daily hair blowouts, time at the gym and regular Botox treatments – on top of long hours and being available to a famously demanding president 24 hours a day, every day of the week.

“You have to be exceptional at your job, which is a given, but if you’re a woman you have to look a certain way, dress a certain way and be available 24/7, because this is a president who barely sleeps,” one “burned-out” White House staff told the Daily Mail.

“Add to that the pressure of a family at home, and it’s no wonder so many of us flame out,” the employee said.

It is perhaps no coincidence that six women from Trump’s inner circle have left since January, according to the Daily Mail. These women include Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem.