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WATCH: Trump 'feels badly' for Secretary Alex Acosta who let Epstein off with sweetheart plea deal

July 9, 2019 11:32AM ET

Donald Trump speaks from The White House Oval Office (CNN/screen grab)

President Donald Trump reportedly "feels badly" for Alex Acosta, the administration's labor secretary who has come under fire for his role in cutting a plea deal for accused child rapist Jeffrey Epstein.

According to Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason, Trump made the remarks on Tuesday.

"I feel badly for Secretary Acosta, because I have known him as being somebody who works so hard and has done such a great job," Trump said. "I feel badly about that whole situation."

Trump insisted that he has not personally spoken to Epstein in some time due a "falling out" that happened 15 years ago.

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WATCH: Trump 'feels badly' for Secretary Alex Acosta who let Epstein off with sweetheart plea deal

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