Rob Porter’s Ex-Wife Reacts to Trump’s Defense of Porter: He Won’t Diminish ‘My Truth’
Last week, President Donald Trump responded to allegations of domestic abuse made against ex-White House staffer Rob Porter by expressing sympathy for Porter and stating that the former aide “says he’s innocent.” The president followed those comments up with a tweet that said “lives are being shattered and destroyed by a mere allegation,” adding that people “falsely accused” could lose their careers.
In response to Trump’s recent remarks, Porter’s ex-wife Jennie Willoughby — who has alleged Porter physically and emotionaly abused her during their marriage — wrote a TIME op-ed. In that column, she fired back at the president for essentially calling her a liar.
Pointing out that the president implied that she was lying about the allegations in both his tweet and comments to reporters, Willoughby explained that regardless of what Trump says, she knows what is true.
Everyone wants to talk about how Trump implied I am a not to be believed. As if Trump is the model of kindness and forgiveness. As if he readily acknowledges his own shortcomings and shows empathy and concern for others. I forgive him. Thankfully, my strength and worth are not dependent on outside belief — the truth exists whether the President accepts it or not.
She added that the bigger issue is that we “have a societal blind spot” when it comes to acknowledging abuse as “society is subconsciously trained to question a victim of abuse.” Willoughby also noted that while she does have compassion for her ex-husband and wants him to seek help, she does “not tolerate abuse.”
She ended the op-ed by stating the following:
In light of the President’s and the White House’s continued dismissal of me and Colbie, I want to assure you my truth has not been diminished. I own my story and now that I have been compelled to share it, I’m not willing to cover it up for anyone.
In a recent CNN interview, Willoughby said that she was worried for White House communications director Hope Hicks, who is currently dating Porter. She declared that if Porter hasn’t already been abusive with Hicks, “he will be.”
[image via screengrab]
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