President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE was "saddened" by the domestic violence allegations against his former staff secretary Rob Porter, a top spokesman said Thursday.

Porter left the White House on Wednesday, after multiple reports detailed abuse allegations by both of his ex-wives. The allegations surfaced during Porter's FBI background check.

White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah told reporters on Thursday that the president was not aware of those allegations until reports first surfaced Tuesday night.

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"He was surprised. He, like many of us, did not see that in Rob Porter, did not see what those allegations have brought forward," Shah said.

"He was surprised by it, disheartened by it, saddened by it."