Donald Trump was embroiled in a row extending half-way around the world after reportedly using the term “shithole countries” to describe Haiti, El Salvador and unspecified African nations in a White House meeting about immigration.
Seeking to limit the fallout from the reported comments, the US President described his language as “tough” but denied using a vulgar slur.
The controversy came as he announced he was cancelling his visit to the UK and will now not be travelling London as expected to open the new US embassy next month.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said the US President had backed down in the face of huge public opposition in Britain and the likelihood of widespread protests.
Mr Trump is quoted as having asked: “Why are we having all these people from s***hole countries come here?"
The Republican said he had cancelled his London visit because of his opposition to the decision to move the US Embassy from Mayfair to Battersea.
MPs did not rush to express their disappointment, with many suggesting the real reason for the cancellation was British public opposition to the visit.
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband wrote in a tweet to Mr Trump: "It's because nobody wanted you to come. And you got the message."
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"It appears that President Trump got the message from the many Londoners who love and admire America and Americans but find his policies and actions the polar opposite of our city's values of inclusion, diversity and tolerance.
"His visit next month would without doubt have been met by mass peaceful protests.
"This just reinforces what a mistake it was for Theresa May to rush and extend an invitation of a state visit in the first place.
"Let's hope that Donald Trump also revisits the pursuit of his divisive agenda."
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The US President Donald Trump "got the message" that many Londoners oppose his policies and actions, the mayor Sadiq Khan has said, after Mr Trump cancelled his planned visit. More follows…
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CNN host Don Lemon has labelled Donald Trump “racist” after reports the President called Haiti and African states “s***hole countries”. Opening his programme on Thursday night, Mr Lemon said: “The President of the United States is racist. A lot of us already knew that.”
Donald Trump referred to Haitians and Africans as coming from 's***hole countries', says report
President Donald Trump has reportedly referred to Haiti and African countries as "s***hole countries" during a meeting with congressional leaders in the Oval Office. After ideas for restoration projects to help immigrants in Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries were floated as a potential part of a bipartisan immigration deal, the President grew frustrated.BREAKING...
In an unusually strongly-worded statement, the UN has condemned Donald Trump's comments as “racist” and “shocking and shameful”.
More on that, courtesy of Tom Embury-Dennis, here:
The UN just called Donald Trump racist
Donald Trump's reported remark branding Haiti, El Salvador and unspecified African nations as "s***hole countries" has been branded racist by a UN human rights official. "If confirmed these are shocking and shameful comments from the President of the United States," the spokesperson said. "There is no other word you can use but 'racist'."
The UN just called Donald Trump racist
Donald Trump's reported remark branding Haiti, El Salvador and unspecified African nations as "s***hole countries" has been branded racist by a UN human rights official. "If confirmed these are shocking and shameful comments from the President of the United States," the spokesperson said.
African Union on Trump 's***hole' comments: Unacceptable given how many Africans arrived in the US as slaves
US President Donald Trump's remark that African nations and Haiti are "s***hole countries" and that the US would be ill-advised to accept immigrants from them has continued to stir strong responses.
Boris Johnson accuses Sadiq Khan endangering relations with America after Trump cancelled visit
Boris Johnson has launched an attack on Jeremy Corbyn and Sadiq Khan, accusing them of endangering UK-US relationship after the President cancelled a scheduled visit to Britain. “The US is the biggest single investor in the UK – yet Khan and Corbyn seem determined to put this crucial relationship at risk,” the Foreign Secretary said on Twitter. “We will not allow US-UK relations to be endangered by some puffed up pompous popinjay in City Hall.”"Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people.
Like other nations that have merit-based immigration, President Trump is fighting for permanent solutions that make our country stronger by welcoming those who can contribute to our society, grow our economy and assimilate into our great nation."
Fox News hosts defend Trump 'racist' 's***hole' comments
Fox News hosts have jumped to the defence of Donald Trump after the US President reportedly referred to El Salvador, Haiti and unspecified African nations as “s***hole countries”.
Donald Trump just denied racist 'shithole' rant
Donald Trump has rejected reports that he ranted about immigration from “s***hole countries” in a closed-door discussion at the White House. The US President said there was a “tough” meeting but that “this was not the language used”. His denial followed a series of tweets in which he reiterated his previous calls for a “merit-based system of immigration”.- More about:
- Donald Trump
- Nigel Farage
- State Visit
- Jeremy Corbyn
- Sadiq Khan
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