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'Unkind, divisive, elitist': international outcry over Trump's 'shithole countries' remark UN condemns as racist Donald Trump's 'shithole countries' remark
(about 7 hours later)
There has been international outcry after reports that Donald Trump described Haiti, El Salvador and some African nations as “shithole countries” in a meeting with US lawmakers on Thursday. The United Nations human rights office has rejected as “racist” remarks by Donald Trump describing immigrants from Africa and Haiti as coming from “shithole” countries.
According to a Washington Post report, Trump made the remark after he was presented with a proposal to restore protections for immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and several African countries as part of a bipartisan immigration deal. He instead suggested the US should bring more immigrants from Norway, whose prime minister he met on Wednesday. On Thursday, the president questioned why the US would want to have immigrants from Haiti and African nations, referring to some as “shithole countries”. He instead suggested the US should bring more immigrants from Norway, whose prime minister he met on Wednesday.
The divisive comment was met with criticism in the US and abroad. “There is no other word one can use but racist,” the UN human rights spokesman, Rupert Colville, told a Geneva news briefing. “You cannot dismiss entire countries and continents as ‘shitholes’, whose entire populations, who are not white, are therefore not welcome.”
Cedric Richmond, Democratic representative and chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Trump’s comments were “yet another confirmation of his racially insensitive and ignorant views” that only reinforce “the concerns that we hear every day, that the president’s slogan Make America Great Again is really code for Make America White Again.” Cedric Richmond, Democratic representative and chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Trump’s comments were “yet another confirmation of his racially insensitive and ignorant views” that reinforce “the concerns that we hear every day, that the president’s slogan ‘Make America Great Again’ is really code for ‘Make America White Again’.”
Mia Love, a Utah Republican whose family came from Haiti, condemned Trump’s remark as “unkind, divisive, elitist” and demanded an apology for the American people and the nations he “wantonly maligned”.Mia Love, a Utah Republican whose family came from Haiti, condemned Trump’s remark as “unkind, divisive, elitist” and demanded an apology for the American people and the nations he “wantonly maligned”.
Here is my statement on the President’s comments today: pic.twitter.com/EdtsFjc2zLHere is my statement on the President’s comments today: pic.twitter.com/EdtsFjc2zL
The former Haitian president Laurent Lamothe also expressed his dismay, saying the US president’s remark “shows a lack of respect and ignorance”.The former Haitian president Laurent Lamothe also expressed his dismay, saying the US president’s remark “shows a lack of respect and ignorance”.
SHAME ON TRUMP! The world is witnessing a new low today with this #ShitholeNations remark! totally unacceptable! uncalled for moreover it shows a lack a respect and IGNORANCE never seen before in the recent history of the US by any President! Enough is enough!!SHAME ON TRUMP! The world is witnessing a new low today with this #ShitholeNations remark! totally unacceptable! uncalled for moreover it shows a lack a respect and IGNORANCE never seen before in the recent history of the US by any President! Enough is enough!!
There was more criticism from within Trump’s own party, with the Salt Lake County Republican party tweeting that they “welcome all those” who have emigrated to the US. There was more criticism from within Trump’s own party, with the Salt Lake County Republican party tweeting that it welcomes “all those” who have emigrated to the US.
We love people from Haiti. We love people from El Salvador (especially when they make papusas). And we love African nations. We believe in the promise of America and welcome all those who who’ve immigranted. We hope they feel wanted, respected and loved.#utpol#utpolWe love people from Haiti. We love people from El Salvador (especially when they make papusas). And we love African nations. We believe in the promise of America and welcome all those who who’ve immigranted. We hope they feel wanted, respected and loved.#utpol#utpol
James Comey, who was fired as director of the FBI by Trump, quoted the inscription on the Statue of Liberty.James Comey, who was fired as director of the FBI by Trump, quoted the inscription on the Statue of Liberty.
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” This country’s greatness and true genius lies in its diversity.“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” This country’s greatness and true genius lies in its diversity.
Outside of the US, voices from Haiti, Mexico and the UK were quick to condemn the remarks and defend the role that immigration has played in America’s history. Outside the US, voices from Haiti, Mexico and the UK were quick to condemn the president’s remarks and defend the role immigration has played in America’s history.
David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee, said Trump’s comments were leading a “race to the bottom on refugees”. David Miliband, the president of the International Rescue Committee, said Trump’s comments were leading a “race to the bottom on refugees”.
Trump Administration leading a race to the bottom on refugees and immigrants that is a betrayal of America’s future as well as of its history. These are PEOPLE. https://t.co/OPf7LgLYRgTrump Administration leading a race to the bottom on refugees and immigrants that is a betrayal of America’s future as well as of its history. These are PEOPLE. https://t.co/OPf7LgLYRg
The Haitian ambassador to the US, Paul Altidor, said Trump’s views were “based on stereotypes”.The Haitian ambassador to the US, Paul Altidor, said Trump’s views were “based on stereotypes”.
I just talked to Haiti’s Ambassador to the United States Paul Altidor who said he and the Haitian government “vehemently condemn” President Trump’s comments which they believe are “based on stereotypes.” “Either the president has been misinformed or he is miseducated.”I just talked to Haiti’s Ambassador to the United States Paul Altidor who said he and the Haitian government “vehemently condemn” President Trump’s comments which they believe are “based on stereotypes.” “Either the president has been misinformed or he is miseducated.”
Mexico’s former president, Vicente Fox, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump, said in a colourful tweet that “America’s greatness was built on diversity”.Mexico’s former president, Vicente Fox, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump, said in a colourful tweet that “America’s greatness was built on diversity”.
.@realDonaldTrump, your mouth is the foulest shithole in the world. With what authority do you proclaim who’s welcome in America and who’s not. America’s greatness is built on diversity, or have you forgotten your immigrant background, Donald?.@realDonaldTrump, your mouth is the foulest shithole in the world. With what authority do you proclaim who’s welcome in America and who’s not. America’s greatness is built on diversity, or have you forgotten your immigrant background, Donald?
Others questioned the implications the remarks had for immigrants already in the US. Others questioned the implications the remarks had for immigrants already living in the US.
When my father’s relatives came here, many Americans considered Italy a “shithole” country. When my mother’s relatives immigrated, many felt the same about Ireland. Similar for my wife’s grandparents from Mexico & Russia. I’m as proud as ever tonight of our heritage.When my father’s relatives came here, many Americans considered Italy a “shithole” country. When my mother’s relatives immigrated, many felt the same about Ireland. Similar for my wife’s grandparents from Mexico & Russia. I’m as proud as ever tonight of our heritage.
I’m pretty sure when my great grandparents migrated here from Naples & Abruzzi, they didn’t leave some European paradise. Southern Italy - especially Naples - was very much a shithole. #shitholecountriesI’m pretty sure when my great grandparents migrated here from Naples & Abruzzi, they didn’t leave some European paradise. Southern Italy - especially Naples - was very much a shithole. #shitholecountries
Miami Herald Editorial Board: “So, Mr. President, would you say South Florida is a ‘shithole’ too?” https://t.co/q85Y6DcyT2Miami Herald Editorial Board: “So, Mr. President, would you say South Florida is a ‘shithole’ too?” https://t.co/q85Y6DcyT2
HONK if your parents or grandparents come from a shithole country. #HONKHONK if your parents or grandparents come from a shithole country. #HONK
The New York Daily News’s front page expressed the feelings of many.The New York Daily News’s front page expressed the feelings of many.
.@realDonaldTrump takes a dump on the American dreamAn early look at Friday's front: https://t.co/1Wj57JecKC pic.twitter.com/MmOW4VUIMx.@realDonaldTrump takes a dump on the American dreamAn early look at Friday's front: https://t.co/1Wj57JecKC pic.twitter.com/MmOW4VUIMx
Stephen King, the author, echoed the view of many on social media by pointing out that the US might not be very attractive to a Norwegian looking to emigrate. The author Stephen King echoed the view of many on social media by pointing out that the US might not be very attractive to a Norwegian looking to emigrate.
Why would people from Norway want to immigrate here? They have actual health care, and longer life expectancy.Why would people from Norway want to immigrate here? They have actual health care, and longer life expectancy.
Trumps comments come at a sensitive time for Haiti, as Friday marks the eighth anniversary of the earthquake that devastated the small Caribbean nation. Trumps comments came at a sensitive time for Haiti, with Friday marking the eighth anniversary of the earthquake that devastated the small Caribbean nation.
Please join us this Friday, January 12 for a moment of silence at exactly 4:53pm. #Haiti #2010Earthquake #WeRemember pic.twitter.com/F5l7UxRrZvPlease join us this Friday, January 12 for a moment of silence at exactly 4:53pm. #Haiti #2010Earthquake #WeRemember pic.twitter.com/F5l7UxRrZv