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Donald Trump takes on Dick Durbin over 'racial slur' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
President Donald Trump has said he was "totally misrepresented" by those saying he used the term "shithole" to describe African nations last week. | |
Mr Trump also said the allegation was hurting efforts to strike a deal to protect so-called Dreamer immigrants. | Mr Trump also said the allegation was hurting efforts to strike a deal to protect so-called Dreamer immigrants. |
The president was responding to a claim by Democratic Senator Dick Durbin that he used "vile and racist" language during a meeting on immigration reform. | The president was responding to a claim by Democratic Senator Dick Durbin that he used "vile and racist" language during a meeting on immigration reform. |
The alleged remarks sparked global outrage and demands that he apologise. | The alleged remarks sparked global outrage and demands that he apologise. |
"There is no other word one can use but racist," said a UN spokesman. | "There is no other word one can use but racist," said a UN spokesman. |
On Monday, two senators who said he did indeed use the disparaging remark stood by their account of what took place. | On Monday, two senators who said he did indeed use the disparaging remark stood by their account of what took place. |
What did the president allegedly say? | What did the president allegedly say? |
The row broke out after Republican and Democratic lawmakers visited the president in the Oval Office on Thursday to work on a proposal for an immigration deal. | The row broke out after Republican and Democratic lawmakers visited the president in the Oval Office on Thursday to work on a proposal for an immigration deal. |
A key issue they need to agree on is what to do with an Obama-era scheme that protects some 800,000 young people who entered the US illegally as children - known as the Dreamers. | A key issue they need to agree on is what to do with an Obama-era scheme that protects some 800,000 young people who entered the US illegally as children - known as the Dreamers. |
But the alleged slur was uttered during another topic for discussion - the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) given to a number of nationalities currently living in the country. | But the alleged slur was uttered during another topic for discussion - the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) given to a number of nationalities currently living in the country. |
In recent weeks the Trump administration has made a series of announcements that have brought that status to an end. | In recent weeks the Trump administration has made a series of announcements that have brought that status to an end. |
Hours after the meeting, reports emerged that Mr Trump had asked: "Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?" | Hours after the meeting, reports emerged that Mr Trump had asked: "Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?" |
The US should be taking in migrants from countries like Norway, he is reported to have said. | The US should be taking in migrants from countries like Norway, he is reported to have said. |
Accounts suggest that when Mr Trump was told that the largest groups of immigrants with that status were from El Salvador, Honduras and Haiti, the president responded: "Haitians? Do we need more Haitians?" | Accounts suggest that when Mr Trump was told that the largest groups of immigrants with that status were from El Salvador, Honduras and Haiti, the president responded: "Haitians? Do we need more Haitians?" |
What have those in the room said? | What have those in the room said? |
On Friday, Mr Durbin said: "I cannot believe that in the history of the White House, in that Oval Office, any president has ever spoken the words that I personally heard our president speak yesterday. | On Friday, Mr Durbin said: "I cannot believe that in the history of the White House, in that Oval Office, any president has ever spoken the words that I personally heard our president speak yesterday. |
"President Trump said things that were hate-filled, vile, and racist. He used those words repeatedly." | "President Trump said things that were hate-filled, vile, and racist. He used those words repeatedly." |
Mr Trump responded by saying his language was "tough" but not the language used in the news reports. He also denied he was a racist. | Mr Trump responded by saying his language was "tough" but not the language used in the news reports. He also denied he was a racist. |
And on Monday he tweeted that Mr Durbin had "totally misrepresented what was said". | And on Monday he tweeted that Mr Durbin had "totally misrepresented what was said". |
He also blamed the Democratic senator for the apparent impasse over negotiations to reach a solution on the Dreamers. | He also blamed the Democratic senator for the apparent impasse over negotiations to reach a solution on the Dreamers. |
Have the senators present at the meeting backed him up? | Have the senators present at the meeting backed him up? |
Three other people who were in the room have remained silent. | Three other people who were in the room have remained silent. |
The two sides in the row became more entrenched on Monday, with Mr Graham appearing to challenge colleagues Perdue and Cotton by saying his memory had not "evolved". | The two sides in the row became more entrenched on Monday, with Mr Graham appearing to challenge colleagues Perdue and Cotton by saying his memory had not "evolved". |
"I know what was said," he said. | "I know what was said," he said. |
And Mr Durbin also said he stood "behind every word", and rejected reports that perhaps Mr Trump said "shithouse" instead. | |
He added he was focused "full-time" on finding a "future in America" for "those who are being protected by Daca [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals]". | He added he was focused "full-time" on finding a "future in America" for "those who are being protected by Daca [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals]". |
More on Trump's first year | More on Trump's first year |
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