Service members respond to Trump's reported "Shitholes" comments

US President Donald Trump used an expletive to describe foreign countries in an Oval Office meeting.

Trump has denied he said “anything derogatory” about Haitians, in an apparent renouncement of saying that any countries are “shitholes.”

However, Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, who was in the room at a private meeting with lawmakers to discuss immigration, said Mr. Trump used “racist” language, and used the word “shitholes.”

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

The Washington Post, the New York Times, Politico and the Wall Street Journal all quoted witnesses or people briefed on the meeting in reporting the comment. The White House has not officially denied the story.

“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” said Trump, according to the Washington Post, in remarks about the countries Haiti and El Salvador, and the entire continent Africa.

In context, the remark was a critique of the practice of granting temporary residency to citizens of countries hit by natural disasters, epidemics or war. The President instead proposed that the US should be taking in migrants from countries “like Norway.”

The aftermath of an earthquake in Haiti in January 2010. The earthquake killed over 200,000. (Photo by Christian Als)

Trump’s reported remarks were made as Republican and Democratic lawmakers visited him on Thursday to work out a deal on immigration.

“These are some planes that go bombing a bunch of poor little people who have nothing to eat.” A child’s drawing of the US-backed military government bombing during the civil war in El Salvador.

Starting in the early 1900s, the United States has attempted to and succeeded in overthrowing multiple governments in Haiti and El Salvador.

Members of the U.S. Military responded on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Jewel1111111/status/951892197539971077

https://twitter.com/mlbeddoe/status/952421102499909632

https://twitter.com/chitownjewrean/status/952570415330848768

https://twitter.com/Mr_Westmoore/status/951958717154627589

Wanna know where the #shithole countries are? Ask a #veteran. We’ve been there and done that. #theyexist chime in #vets name your #shithole country.

— Angry American (@hdhuntjr) January 13, 2018