Trump referred to Porter as a ‘sick puppy’ after abuse allegations surfaced: report

President Trump reportedly referred to former White House staff secretary Rob Porter as a “sick puppy” after abuse allegations from Porter’s two ex-wives surfaced.

Sources told CBS News that Trump most likely did not know much about Porter’s personal life until the reports surfaced. 

Both of Porter’s ex-wives have accused him of domestic abuse, with one releasing photographs of herself with a black eye, which she claims she got from Porter. 

Porter, who resigned from the White House last week, has denied the allegations. 

{mosads}However, questions have risen as to when chief of staff John Kelly and White House counsel Don McGahn learned of the allegations, which were brought to the attention of the FBI. 

Reports have emerged that McGahn was made aware of the allegations last year by federal investigators working on Porter’s application for a security clearance.

The matter has put the White House on the defensive, forcing officials to affirm that the president believes domestic violence is a serious issue. 

Trump on Saturday tweeted that “lives were being shattered” and raised questions about the lack of due process after Porter and another White House aide resigned amid abuse allegations. 

Peoples lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation. Some are true and some are false. Some are old and some are new. There is no recovery for someone falsely accused – life and career are gone. Is there no such thing any longer as Due Process?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 10, 2018

Sanders read a statement from Trump at the press briefing on Monday, voicing his support for abuse victims. 

“Above all, the president supports the victims of domestic violence and believes everyone should be treated fairly and with due process,” she said.

It’s not the first time in the last year Trump has referred to someone as a “sick puppy.” He used the phrase to describe to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in November over Pyongyang’s latest missile launch.