Calls Haiti, El Salvador and African nations "shithole countries"
During a bipartisan Oval Office meeting on immigration, Trump asked why the U.S. should accept immigrants from 'shithole countries' like Haiti, El Salvador, and African nations, saying the U.S. should take more people from countries like Norway. The comment sparked international condemnation. Trump initially did not deny the remark but later stated he said 'shithouse' not 'shithole.' Multiple senators present confirmed the comment. Critics characterized the remarks as racist, citing the contrast between predominantly white Norway and the predominantly Black and brown populations of the countries Trump disparaged.
“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” — Oval Office immigration meeting, January 11, 2018 (reported by Washington Post)
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AI commentaryThe comment occurred during discussions of immigration policy including Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and El Salvador. Multiple news outlets reported the remarks based on accounts from senators present at the meeting. The White House did not initially dispute the account but later offered alternative phrasings.