Trump Asks The Question No One Dare

President Trump grew frustrated with lawmakers Thursday in the Oval Office when they discussed granting entry to immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and African countries as part of a bipartisan immigration deal, according to several people briefed on the meeting.

"Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?" Trump said, according to these people, referring to countries mentioned by the lawmakers.

Trump then suggested that the United States should instead bring more people from countries like Norway, whose prime minister he met with Wednesday. The president, according to a White House official, also suggested he would be open to more immigrants from Asian countries because he felt they help the United States economically.

In addition, the president singled out Haiti, telling lawmakers that immigrants from that country must be left out of any deal, these people said.

"Why do we need more Haitians?" Trump said, according to people familiar with the meeting. "Take them out." 

Lawmakers were taken aback by the comments, according to people familiar with their reactions. Sens. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) had proposed cutting the visa lottery program by 50 percent and then prioritizing countries already in the system, a White House official said. 

A White House spokesman defended Trump's position on immigration without directly addressing his remarks. White House officials did not dispute the account. 

"Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people," spokesman Raj Shah said in a statement issued after The Washington Post first reported Trump's remarks. ". . . Like other nations that have merit-based immigration, President Trump is fighting for permanent solutions that make our country stronger by welcoming those who can contribute to our society, grow our economy and assimilate into our great nation."

He's trying to win me back. https://t.co/JEmlyqd7ZY

— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 11, 2018

Okay, yes -- Trump shouldn't call them "shithole countries." A little respect is in order. They are shithole nations.

— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 11, 2018

By the way, Haiti was one of 35 countries that abstained on the UN Jerusalem vote a couple of weeks ago, and was rewarded by being invited to Nikki Haley's party for our friends. Norway of course voted against us.

— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) January 11, 2018

C'mon, people, let's get our priorities straight! How a country votes in the UN on symbolic issues involving Israel is far more important than what kind of civilization its people can construct. https://t.co/Igsie5hIk4

— Steve Sailer (@Steve_Sailer) January 12, 2018

.@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?

— Vicente Fox Quesada (@VicenteFoxQue) January 11, 2018

“shithole” is definitely a term I’ve heard elites use to describe socioeconomically dilapidated areas of the United States

— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) January 12, 2018

A friend of mine weighs in on Sh*tholeGate: pic.twitter.com/h0uKZeTTzl

— J Burton (@JBurtonXP) January 11, 2018

Option A: El Salvador isn't a "shithole," so they don't need 17 years of Temporary Protected Status, and migrants from there should be sent home immediately. Option B: El Salvador is, in fact, a "shithole." https://t.co/sea1sKoY8K

— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) January 11, 2018

Haiti - 219 murders per 100,000 residents per year.
Norway - 0.56 murders per 100,000 residents per year.

Haiti GDP per capita - $739.60
Norway GDP per capita - $70,812.48

Do your math.#ShitholeCountries.

— Adam J. Lowy (@AdamJLowy) January 11, 2018

Excited that American liberals are now going to vacation in luxurious Somalia to stick it to Cheeto Bigot!

— Scott Greer (@ScottMGreer) January 11, 2018

An estimated 500,000 to 1,000,000 Rwandans were massacred by being hacked to death with machetes and you're telling me that country is NOT a shithole? Or in Tanzania where albinos are raped because many Africans believe that cures AIDS? Please. #Shithole

— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) January 12, 2018

Joan Walsh can't tell Rich Lowry whether she would rather live in Norway or Haiti.

— Alex Pfeiffer (@PfeifferDC) January 12, 2018