Trump laments ‘mere allegation’ can destroy lives

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump decried lives “being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation” at the end of a week that saw the departure of two White House aides after accusations of domestic violence.

“There is no recovery for someone falsely accused — life and career are gone,” Trump posted on Twitter Saturday.

Although he didn’t specify to whom who he was referring, the post followed remarks the president made Friday, when asked about the departure of White House staff secretary Rob Porter, who resigned after two ex-wives and an exgirlfriend came forward to detail allegations of physical abuse.

During his comments in the Oval Office, the president didn’t mention the women or address domestic violence, instead remarking that it was a “tough time” for his former aide.

“He did a very good job when he was in the White House,” Trump said. “And we hope he has a wonderful career, and hopefully he will have a great career ahead of him.”

The president noted that Porter “said very strongly” that he was innocent of the alleged assaults.

The White House announced later Friday that speechwriter David Sorensen, who worked at the Council on Environmental Quality, had resigned after administration officials learned that his ex-wife had accused him of physical abuse.

Sorensen, too, has denied that he physically harmed his former partner.

Trump’s comments were the latest in which he has appeared willing to offer support to men accused of sexual impropriety.

The president endorsed Roy Moore, the Alabama Republican who ran for the U.S. Senate last year, despite multiple allegations that he initiated sexual encounters with minors. Trump also defended former Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly, who was ousted from his job over sexual harassment claims.

Trump himself has faced accusations — which he has denied — from more than a dozen women of offenses including groping and nonconsensual kissing.