Trump Admits to “Shithole Countries” Remark, Revives Racist Immigration Rhetoric
A former president publicly acknowledged using a derogatory term to describe Haiti and African nations, seven years after initially denying reports of the comment. The admission came during a recent public appearance, where he also reiterated discriminatory views on immigration, favoring applicants from predominantly white European countries.
The controversy resurfaced on Tuesday night when, following a shout from the audience repeating the offensive term, the former president initially deflected, stating, “I didn’t say that, you did.” However, he then conceded making the remark during a 2018 meeting with senators, asking, “Remember I said that to the senators that came in?”
This admission marks a significant reversal from previous denials and underscores a pattern of racially charged rhetoric. The former president went on to express a preference for immigrants from countries he deemed “nice,” specifically naming Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. He contrasted these nations with Somalia, which he described with a series of pejoratives, calling it “filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime.”
The former president also announced what he termed a “permanent pause on 3rd world migration,” specifically citing Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, and other nations as “hellholes.” This statement echoes previous attempts to restrict immigration based on national origin.
Here is a transcript of the former president’s remarks, as shared on social media:
Trump: “I’ve also announced a permanent pause on 3rd world migration, including from hellholes like Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, and many other countries. I didn’t say shit hole, you did. I said that to the senators, the Democrats, so they came in and they said this is totally…” https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1734548999998996799
The renewed use of such language raises concerns about the potential for increased discrimination and xenophobia. While the former president’s statements carry no current legal weight, they serve as a potent reminder of his past policies and rhetoric regarding immigration and racial demographics. The incident highlights the enduring impact of divisive language on public discourse and the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy in the United States.
