Donald Trump: Lives are being 'destroyed' by allegations

President Donald Trump says lives are being "destroyed by mere allegation" after two White House aides quit amid accusations of domestic abuse.

"There is no recovery for someone falsely accused," Mr Trump tweeted.
This week saw the departure of White House speechwriter David Sorensen and staff secretary Rob Porter.
The White House has been criticised for its handling of the allegations and Mr Trump's comments quickly drew scorn.

• White House regret over abuse claims
• No longer all the president's men

His remarks also come amid a worldwide debate over sexual harassment and the abuse of power.
In his tweet, Mr Trump did not mention either men, but warned allegations could result in a person's
"life and career gone"

  Donald J. Trump‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump

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?

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End of Twitter post by @realDonaldTrump

Among those to react with anger was Democratic Senator Patty Murray, who responded by saying that women's lives were affected every day by sexual violence and harassment.
"I'm going to keep standing with them, and trusting them, even if the president won't," she said.
Democratic Congresswoman Jackie Speier tweeted that Mr Trump's comments were "offensive".

Jackie Speier ✔ @RepSpeier

just when we thought @POTUS couldn’t sink any lower or be any more offensive he exceeds our expectations and trashes the wives and victims of domestic violence with claims of false accusations. Apparently his motto is when they go low, he goes even lower.

  

Trump, Saying ‘Mere Allegation’ Ruins Lives, Appears to Doubt #MeToo Movement

After the resignations of two aides facing claims of domestic violence, President Trump said that the “falsely accused” had little chance of recovery.

mobile.nytimes.com

thought @POTUS couldn’t sink any lower or be any more offensive he exceeds our expectations and trashes the wives and victims of domestic violence with claims of false accusations. Apparently his motto is when they go low, he goes even lower.

Report

End of Twitter post by @RepSpeier

Some commentators objected to his reference to due process, for example pointing his promotion of a conspiracy theory about former President Barack Obama's nationality.
Mr Sorensen has been accused by his former wife of being violent and emotionally abusive, while Mr Porter faces allegations of domestic abuse involving two ex-wives.
Both men deny the allegations.