Over the last week, one of the biggest headlines has involved the Domestic Violence allegations against Rob Porter, the now former White House staffer. After Donald Trump decided to cast doubt on the accusers, Kellyanne Conway was forced to come to his defense.
Conway on Trump
It was just last week when White House staffer Rob Porter resigned from his position after his alleged history of domestic violence resurfaced. It was first reported in the Daily Mail when Porter's two ex-wives spoke up about the alleged abuse, with one releasing an image of a black eye that reportedly occurred during the attack.
Porter has denied the allegations, but decided that he would step down in order to address the issues head on. In response, Donald Trump praised the work Porter had done for his administration, before later lashing out on Twitter to blame unfounded allegations for the downfall of many men.
Does Pres. Trump believe Rob Porter was falsely accused of domestic abuse? White House Counselor to the President @KellyannePolls says he believes "you have to consider all sides. He has said this in the past about incidents that relate to him as well." #ThisWeek pic.twitter.com/kPZSf88SJl
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) February 11, 2018
This issue was discussed during the February 11 edition of "this week" on ABC with Presidential Counsel Kellyanne Conway.
After host George Stephanopoulos brought up the "pattern" of behavior Donald Trump has displayed with women, Conway was quick to push back, even rhetorically asking why she was still in the White House if Trump was guilty of the allegations. "I, frankly, wouldn’t work there if that were not the case," Conway said.
"I could be dozens of other places for lots of money," Kellyanne Conway went on to point out, before asking, "Why would someone like me and many other women be there?" Conway went on to describe Trump as an "excellent boss for women" and for "working mothers," while claiming he has "come to the aid of many women privately." Despite this, Conway did go on to personally admit during a CNN interview that she was "horrified" by the reported abuse and that she has "no reason not to believe" the allegations.
Instant backlash
In response to Kellyanne Conway's remarks, it didn't take long before the critics fired back. "Why do you even have her on the program? She doesn't know anything and lies or knows better and lies anyway. She is paid to obscure with alternate facts," one tweet read.
When he introduced her @KellyannePolls on the show I said, “Why Why Why?” She is such a waste of time. Wish she would just disappear into a hole somewhere far far away.
— Renee Roveal (@RMRoveal) February 11, 2018
Why in the world do you interview this woman? Poor, poor reporting. Just stop. We know the answer to this question. Please stop giving these horrible people air time.
— Carmen Oldenburg (@CarmenOldenburg) February 11, 2018
"No, Abuser in Chief doesn’t care whether Porter is guilty of the allegations and wouldn’t have fired him, had he not resigned," a follow-up tweet added.
"Sorry, I know it's not right but she might be more believable with a bag over her head rather than looking like a battered woman defending Trump," an additional tweet noted.
We can't believe a word that comes out of @KellyannePolls mouth. She tries to feed the public alternate facts. She is dishonest and cannot be trusted.
— robert massenburg (@RobertThemass) February 11, 2018
By now when you bring on air that fog machine named Kellyanne — because that's who they offered — you are committing a hostile act against your viewers' understanding in order to protect your own professional conceit of even-handedness.
— Sue Walker (@SueWalkercandis) February 11, 2018
Why is this woman ever on air? Claims she makes are consistently proven untrue within 24hours. She has zero credibility
— Nancy Dooley (@NancyDooley16) February 11, 2018
"Why is this woman ever on air?
Claims she makes are consistently proven untrue within 24 hours. She has zero credibility," a Twitter user wrote. "We can't believe a word that comes out of Kellyanne's mouth. She tries to feed the public alternate facts. She is dishonest and cannot be trusted," yet another social media user added.
