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African Union, Others Respond To Alleged 'Shithole Countries' Comment

The African Union mission said there was a "huge misunderstanding" of the continent by the Trump administration.

African Union, Others Respond To Alleged 'Shithole Countries' Comment
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There have been more responses to President Donald Trump allegedly referring to some nations as "shithole countries."

On Friday, the African Union mission, which represents more than 50 member states in the continent, expressed its "shock, dismay and outrage" over the alleged comments.

The organization said in a statement: "There is a huge misunderstanding of the African continent and its people by the current Administration. There is a serious need for dialogue between the US Administration and the African countries."

The president of Ghana tweeted Friday morning: "We are certainly not a 'shithole country.' We will not accept such insults, even from a leader of a friendly country, no matter how powerful."

And Haiti's U.S. ambassador told the BBC that Haitians are not "simply immigrants who come here to take advantage of the U.S." Some conservative commentators pushed that narrative following the news.

A Senator Who Was There Insists Trump Said 'Shithole Countries'
A Senator Who Was There Insists Trump Said 'Shithole Countries'

A Senator Who Was There Insists Trump Said 'Shithole Countries'

President Trump said he didn't use that specific language. Sen. Dick Durbin insists Trump said it repeatedly.

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Trump tweeted Friday that he "never said anything derogatory about Haitians" and praised his relationship with people from the country. The Associated Press, however, reported that Trump privately defended the alleged comment, arguing it wasn't racist but "straightforward."

Last fall, the Department of Homeland Security canceled the Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants. On Monday, the department took that same action against immigrants from El Salvador, another country reportedly mentioned at an immigration meeting Thursday. Those affected have until 2019 to leave the U.S. or, if eligible, seek alternative immigration status.