Former US President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm of international controversy after reportedly using deeply offensive language to describe several developing nations during White House immigration discussions.
Explosive Remarks in Oval Office Meeting
According to multiple sources familiar with the private meeting, Trump expressed frustration about immigration from African countries and El Salvador, questioning why the US would accept immigrants from what he allegedly called "s***hole countries" rather than nations like Norway.
The shocking comments came during bipartisan discussions about protecting immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and African nations under the Temporary Protected Status program.
Immediate Political Fallout
The remarks triggered immediate condemnation from politicians, diplomats, and human rights organisations worldwide. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who was present during the discussion, found himself at the centre of the controversy, though his office declined to comment on the specific language used.
Democratic lawmakers were quick to denounce the President's alleged comments. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin confirmed the offensive language, stating the President's words were "vile and racist."
Global Diplomatic Repercussions
The incident has strained diplomatic relations with several African nations and El Salvador. The African Union representative at the United Nations expressed "outrage, disgust and dismay" at the reported comments, while Salvadoran officials demanded respect for their citizens and nation.
White House Response
While the White House did not explicitly deny the account, they issued a statement claiming President Trump supports immigration policies that welcome "those who can contribute to our society" and wants recipients of the program to come from a "merit-based system."
Domestic Political Implications
The controversy comes at a critical time for immigration negotiations, potentially derailing bipartisan efforts to protect Dreamers and reform immigration policy. The incident has further divided Republican lawmakers, with some defending the President and others expressing concern about the language used.
This isn't the first time Trump has faced criticism for controversial remarks about immigrants and foreign nations, but the explicit nature of these alleged comments has created one of the most significant diplomatic challenges of his presidency.
