President Donald Trump was not referring to Haiti when he used the term “shithole” during a bipartisan immigration sit down Thursday, according to CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Tapper clarified the Thursday Washington Post report, which accused Trump of referring to Haiti and a number of African nations as “shithole countries,” in a Friday Twitter screed.
Tapper explained that while the president did argue Haitians should not be shielded from deportation under “temporary protected status,” he was referring solely to African nations, not Haiti, when he made the “shithole” comment.
The president did not refer to Haiti as a “shithole” country according to the source familiar with the meeting… though he DID say it about countries in Africa…
What happened, the source says, is there was a conflation of two different remarks by the president. 2/
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 12, 2018
“Haitians?” the president said. “Why do we need more Haitians? Take them out” —- meaning take them out of the deal.
4/
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 12, 2018
6/ So that might explain the kinda-pushback from POTUS today. -fin-
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) January 12, 2018
Tapper’s clarification came hours after Trump seemed to deny the WaPo report in a Friday morning tweet, admitting that he did use “tough” language during the immigration meeting but denying that he used the specific language included in the report.
Tapper’s reporting might explain why the White House did not deny the report outright Wednesday night due to its partial accuracy.
Trump pushed back after his brash description of the African countries prompted widespread condemnation among Democratic lawmakers and pundits quick to label the remark racist. He issued a more direct denial moments after Tapper’s twitter clarification.
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 – unfortunately, no trust!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018
Tapper made sure to avoid the impression that he condoned the characterization, providing two disclaimers at the beginning and end of the thread.
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