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Tribune News Service
Tribune News Service
National
Jessica Schladebeck

Rob Porter is only latest member of Trump's inner circle to face assault allegations

White House staff secretary Rob Porter is only the latest person in President Donald Trump's orbit weathering allegations of sexual and physical misconduct.

The top aide resigned Wednesday after both of his ex-wives accused him of domestic abuse, though he has denied the allegations as "outrageous" and "simply false."

Accusations of impropriety have plagued no shortage of those in the President's inner circle. Here's a look at a few of them and the accusations leveled against them:

Rob Porter

Porter's first wife, Colbie Holderness, detailed in an interview with the Daily Mail how Porter allegedly choked and punched her during their five years of marriage. In a follow-up story with the Intercept, she provided a photograph of bruises on her face she claimed were caused by her husband during a 2005 vacation to Florence.

Jennifer Willoughby, who married the staffer in 2009, offered a similar account, claiming Porter had been "verbally, emotionally and physically abusive."

They divorced after a year of marriage.

"I have been transparent and truthful about these vile claims, but I will not further engage publicly with a coordinated smear campaign," Porter said in announcing his resignation.

It's unclear when his final day at the White House will be _ in a statement to Politico he said his departure will be delayed "to ensure a smooth transition."

Steve Bannon

Trump's former chief strategist was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence, battery and dissuading a witness in in 1996. His second wife, Mary Louise Piccard, told police the former Breitbart head pulled at her neck and wrists during an argument over their finances.

The charges were later dropped when Piccard failed to show up in court _ something she blamed on her ex-husband and his lawyer.

In an interview with The New York Times, she said Bannon's lawyers "threatened" her. Bannon allegedly told her "if I ever went to court he and his attorney would make sure that I would be the one who was guilty."

Bannon and Piccard divorced in 1997 and share twin daughters together.

Andy Puzder

The White House considered the former Carl's Jr. head for secretary of labor, but Puzder withdrew his name when allegations that he repeatedly hit his ex-wife, Lisa Feinstein, resurfaced late last year.

Feinstein, sporting a disguise to conceal her identity, outlined the alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of Puzder during a 1990 appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

The episode was titled "High-Class Battered Women" and was later provided to the senators reviewing the fast food executive's bid for a role in the Trump administration.

Puzder has denied the allegations across the board and Feinstein recanted in December 2016.

"I impulsively filed for a divorce without your knowledge and was counseled then to file an allegation of abuse," she wrote in an email. "I regretted and still regret that decision and I withdrew those allegations over 30 years ago. You were not abusive."

Corey Lewandowski

During the 2016 campaign, Florida police charged Trump's former manager with assaulting a reporter when he grabbed Breitbart correspondent Michelle Fields at a rally.

Lewandowski said he did not remember the incident and the charges were later dropped.

Joy Villa, a singer and Trump supporter, also accused Lewandowski of unwanted touching in a December interview with Politico. She claimed the former Trump adviser slapped her butt twice during a party at the Trump International Hotel.

He was fired from the campaign in June 2016 _ reportedly over a fear that he would not be able to bring the president a win in the general election.

Donald Trump

The president himself has faced no shortage of allegations of misconduct _ both before and during his time in the Oval Office.

Trump's first wife, Ivana, reportedly accused the former reality star of rape during a sworn deposition in 1991. The claim was later revealed in the 1993 book "Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald Trump."

Ivana Trump has repeatedly denied the incident occurred, most recently in a statement to CNN.

"I have recently read some comments attributed to me from nearly 30 years ago at a time of very high tension during my divorce from Donald," she said on the heels of a Daily Beast story on the incident.

"The story is totally without merit. Donald and I are the best of friends and together have raised three children that we love and are very proud of."

But Ivana isn't the only woman to allege impropriety against Trump, who infamously admitted to groping women on an "Access Hollywood" tape.

At least 18 women have accused the former business tycoon of misconduct, including unwanted touching and forcible kissing.

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