Harris slams Trump for ‘hateful words’ amid immigration debate

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) on Friday night ripped President Trump’s reported comments referring to Haiti, El Salvador and African nations as “shithole countries,” calling them hateful.

“On this eve of MLK weekend, where we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, it’s an interesting coincidence of timing, frankly, that the president of the United States would speak the words, the hateful words that he spoke at a time that we are honoring a man that lived and died with the spirit of saying we are one people and human rights and humanity should be the priority for all of us,” Harris told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. 

{mosads}

“The words of a president are very powerful words and unfortunately this president has used his words to demean and belittle, instead of uplifting people. And it is deeply troubling. It is unfortunate and it is irresponsible, simply irresponsible,” she said. 

The Washington Post reported on Thursday that Trump had made the comments during an Oval Office meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers. The White House did not deny that Trump made the comments, which were reported by multiple other outlets.

Trump on Friday denied that he said “anything derogatory” about Haitians, saying in a tweet he simply used “tough” language in the immigration meeting.

Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said “take them out.” Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings – unfortunately, no trust!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018