'He says he's innocent': Trump does not express sympathy for women who accused Rob Porter of abuse

Evan Vucci/AP

President Donald Trump and chief of staff John Kelly (right) in the Oval Office Friday.

• President Donald Trump said he was "surprised" by allegations of physical and verbal abuse made against former White House staff secretary Rob Porter by his two ex-wives.
• He said he wishes Porter "well."
• The president garnered criticism for failing to express any sympathy for the women Porter is accused of abusing.
• He added that he hopes Porter has a "wonderful career." 

President Donald Trump said he was "surprised" by allegations of physical and verbal abuse made against former White House staff secretary Rob Porter by his two ex-wives and that he wishes Porter "well" now that he has left the White House.

"We wish him well. He worked very hard," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday. "We certainly wish him well, it's obviously a tough time for him. He did a very good job while he was in the White House."

"We hope that he will have a wonderful career," he added.

The president also pointed to Porter's denial of the allegations, which include photographic evidence of a beating Porter's first wife says she endured from him. 

"He says he's innocent, and I think you have to remember that," Trump said. "He said very strongly yesterday that he's innocent, but you'll have to talk to him about that."

The president did not express any sympathy for his former aide's ex-wives, who allege that Porter physically and mentally abused them during their marriages. 

Colbie Holderness, married to Porter from 2003 to 2008, provided photos of a black eye she claimed she suffered from Porter. Jennifer Willoughby, married to Porter from 2009 to 2013, provided a copy of a 2010 restraining order she filed against Porter.

Reports emerged Thursday that White House counsel Don McGahn had known for more than a year that Porter faced abuse allegations, but did not investigate the claims while Porter continued to serve at the highest levels of the White House. 

On Wednesday, after Holderness and Willoughby's allegations had been published by multiple news outlets, the White House stood by Porter. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president and Kelly retained "full confidence and trust" in Porter.

Kelly released a statement calling Porter "a man of true integrity and honor" and reportedly pressed Porter to stay on in his role.

"I can't say enough good things about him," Kelly wrote. "He is a friend, a confidante, and a trusted professional. I am proud to serve alongside him."

Late on Wednesday night, Kelly released another statement saying he was "shocked by the new allegations" against Porter, which included the photo of Holderness' injuries.

Watch Trump's Friday comments below: