President Donald Trump denies describing lawless, poverty-stricken countries “shitholes” during a meeting with lawmakers in the Oval Office on Thursday.
At least 2 Republican senators who were in the meeting say they did not hear President Trump describe 3rd world nations such as Haiti and Africa “shitholes”.
Trump reportedly made the statement during a DACA meeting on Thursday. At least 2 sources said the meeting was civil until the discussion turned to Haitian immigrants.
“Why do we need more Haitians? Take them out,” Trump allegedly said.
On Friday, Trump tweeted that he never said “anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country.”
“Never said ‘take them out.’ Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings…” Trump added.
On Friday morning, Trump signed a proclamation honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as black guests looked on in the Oval Office.
Trump was rushed out of the meeting afterwards, as reporters shouted questions at him about the alleged statement.
“Mr. President, will you give an apology for the statement yesterday?” asked Urban Radio Network White House Correspondent and CNN contributor April Ryan. “Mr. President, are you a racist?” she said rudely.
Pastor Darrell Scott, who participated in the MLK honor, responded “No.”
“I’m talking to the president, not you sir,” Ryan said to Pastor Scott.
Most Trump supporters agreed with his alleged description of 3rd world countries. One Trump supporter said the president’s critics probably wouldn’t take their families on vacation in those countries.
Trump’s invited guests, mostly civil rights and civic leaders, embraced the president warmly as Ryan and other reporters continued to shout at him.
In a tweet early Friday Trump did admit using “tough language” to describe the immigrant countries.
“The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made – a big setback for DACA!”
CNN anchor Don Lemon called the president a racist, and ex-Vice President Joe Biden criticized Trump sharply in a tweet on Friday.
“It’s not how a president should speak. It’s not how a president should behave. Most of all, it’s not what a president should believe. We’re better than this,” Biden tweeted.
Photos by Mark Wilson/Getty Images
