Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday blasted President Donald Trump for reportedly disparaging Haiti, El Salvador and Africa during a bipartisan White House meeting about immigration reform.
According to several news outlets, including The Washington Post, The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, Trump reportedly questioned why the United States should accept immigrants from “shithole countries” like Haiti, El Salvador and countries in Africa, and singled out Haiti in particular, asking: “Why do we want people from Haiti here?” Last year The New York Times reported that Trump claimed of Haitians that “:they all have AIDS,” though the White House denied he said that.
The president’s comments immediately sparked outrage, especially from critics in Florida, which is home to more Haiti-born residents than any other state.
“If this report is true, it is absolutely wrong to say or think this. I do not think this way, nor do I agree with this kind of sentiment. I represent Florida, and we are an amazing melting pot where over 250 languages are spoken,” Scott said in a statement.
The governor, a close ally of Trump, frequently visits the president and lunched with him less than two weeks ago at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate in Palm Beach.
Florida state Sen. Daphne Campbell, a Haiti-born Democrat who lives in Miami-Dade County, quickly jumped on Trump’s remarks Thursday evening, issuing a press release calling on Scott to denounce the “racist comments.”
“The president’s ongoing war against immigrants appears to be solely directed toward those immigrants of color,” Campbell said. “I am appalled and disgusted that the man who stands as the symbol of a nation once offering refuge and sanctuary to all immigrants is doing his best to say: ‘non-whites need not apply.’ Governor Scott needs to denounce these remarks immediately on behalf of the people of Florida.”
Trump’s remarks are certain to further inflame Haitians already angered by his decision to rescind Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for refugees from the island. The policy change could affect nearly 60,000 Haitians who fled to the U.S. following a devastating earthquake in 2010.
Scott’s office issued the statement from the governor, a Republican who is widely expected to run this year against Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, when asked for a response to Campbell’s demand.
“I work every day to make this the most welcoming state for everyone — Haitians, Cubans, Venezuelans, and others from all around the world that call Florida home. I’m incredibly proud of our diversity,” Scott said in the statement.
Many news outlets reported Trump’s remark explicitly. The Washington Post, first to report it, used the president’s most vulgar word in its headline, as did NBC and CNN in their online stories. An ABC News anchor warned viewers before using the word. It wasn’t long before the word started taking on the sheen of a badge: just as Republicans embraced Hillary Clinton’s “deplorables” slur during the 2016 campaign, Trump opponents began using his designation of poorer countries against him: ““I’m a proud shitholer!” CNN’s Phil Mudd, who is of Irish and Italian descent, said on the Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. “In the 1940s, we called people traitors because they came from a shithole country we call Japan. And we’re ashamed.”
Phil Corbett, the associate managing editor for standards at The New York Times, told the Post in an emailed statement: “The specific, vulgar language the president was reported to have used was really central to the news here. So it seemed pretty clear to all of us that we should quote the language directly. We wanted to be sure readers would fully understand what the story was about.”
The News Service of Florida’s story was sent to subscribers with the word dashed rather than reproduced whole (“s—hole countries”). FlaglerLive’s policy is to not sanitize the vulgarities of public officials, however offensive.
–News Service of Florida and FlaglerLive
just saying says
I voted for Trump but that does not matter. I never thought of Trump as a racist but this comment speaks for itself. Disgraceful.
Trailer Bob says
Most people think it…but he said it. Presidents cannot say stupid things like that.
Richard says
It is refreshing to have a president say what he thinks instead of lying to the American public regardless of what the subject is. Do you really think what is said behind closed doors is always clean and proper language? If so, then you are living in a fantasy world. I for one would not want to immigrate to Haiti or Salvador for any amount of money! I would consider Thailand or Malaysia though. Why is it that people from Haiti and Salvador what to come here? In fact most of the world wants to come to the US, why is that?
Steven Wood says
Trump is a DISGRACE to our presidency. Behind closed doors or not he is the person that represent us in America and should not talk like that. Racist, bigot person
Anonymous says
Washington Post, The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times . . . all far left news organizations with far left agendas.
Again people, before a knee jerk reaction, do some research and educate yourselves and stop being manipulated like puppets.
Do some research on “Operation Mockingbird”. Are you aware Anderson Cooper previously worked for the CIA? Research Operation Mockingbird. Research the ensuing congressional hearings regarding same.
Start thinking for yourselves people. Do some research. Stop being a PUPPET of the press. “Most people think it . . . but he SAID it”. . . (comment above) Were YOU THERE? No, but you accept what the press feeds you as the gospel truth and then you speak it and make comments as if you were actually THERE. Another puppet being fed what to believe and think.
Pogo says
@donald shithead trump
Most of us are thinking it.
@Richard
Bon voyage. Interesting how well informed trump fans are. What in particular attracts you to Malaysia; a country with an official state religion – Islam?
Anonymous says
Yeah what the Hell, bring every body from all countries here so we can give them free food, housing, education, and medical care. Great Idea right. We Americans are all independently wealthy and don’t mind paying for everything for every body.
Bill says
Since when is telling the truth wrong. These are sh—hole countries. I’m not PC, but I’m right. I admire President Thimp for having the courage to be honest. America does not need any more third world dependents.
MRC says
Richard, where did your family immigrate from?? Your family was NOT wanted by the indigenous people of this continent! Furthermore, I would be willing to conjecture that they wanted to leave a “shithole” country to escape poverty and to start a new life in a country full of opportunity, as did all of our families, including Haitians, Central Americans, and Africans. I suggest you go back and look at your family tree and take a few History courses before pointing the finger at ANYONE who has immigrated to the U.S.. Regardless, the President of the United States is supposed to be educated and to show an example of the morals and standards of what America stands for, such as equal rights and freedom for all, not just for the elite whites. Shame on you and especially very shameful Trump! He is showing racist ignorance and DOES NOT reflect the morals and values of our diverse and strong American patchwork of people’s who came here hoping for a better life for our families. Who can blame those who immigrate here for the very same reasons?! This type of behavior is not acceptable under ANY circumstances, except at a KKK meeting. Perhaps you fit into that category?
Buylocal says
Richard ,Anonymous, and Bill are some of the “good people” Trump referred to.
Algonquin J. Calhoun says
Anonymous,if you are so concerned about the veracity of the free press you should be doubly concerned about the almost two thousand verifiable lies told by your lord and savior trump.
Vincente Fox said it best when he stated that the shithole was trump’s mouth.
mark101 says
What do we expect from a man who is mentally unfit for the office of President. . A person might think of saying it, but there is a time and a place to shut up. Trumpo missed it and now back tracks in the news,.
Coyote says
“Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday blasted President Donald Trump for reportedly disparaging Haiti, El Salvador and Africa during a bipartisan White House meeting about immigration reform.”
Best be careful, Gov. Scott. You get the Donald p-o’d – and – poof – offshore Florida drilling is back on the table.
r&r says
Maybe he should have said the ARM PITS of the world. You people who think this is disgraceful language use a lot worse everyday.
MannyHMo says
First of all, thank the Almighty, there’s America. Why be offended by the term “SHITHOLE” ? Why blame these folks trying to get out of that SHITHOLE of poverty, corruption, political/religious oppression, war, famine, lack of opportunity, etc. ? Europe used to have these mentioned problems. The Irish were forced to come to America because of famine (Potato Famine). There’s no reason for a Norwegian to come to America at present and for a long term. On Google, look at the Norwegian healthcare, their crime rate, school system, and standard of living.
palmcoaster says
His mouth is a SH!
Veteran says
Trump talks just like me, a crusty old sailor. That’s why I like him!
YankeeExPat says
All this talk of support for the Presidents “Shithole” comments makes me opine that maybe he, and his supporters , might be diagnosed with Anal Retentive Disorders?………………………naah,………the President and his apologist supporters are just Terrible People !
My Father, my Father in-law, and my uncles, all WWII vets are rolling in their graves to have sacrificed so much for the freedom of blatant racist that permeate our nation. They would be ashamed and devastated by the likes of these people.
I heard the term “were better people than this” all my life and optimistically believed and promoted it.
No more! Americans threw Dignity out the window when they elected this racist President knowing from the get-go who this man really was, and remaining silent when he made no attempt to hide his hate.
Flying a flag, or singing an anthem does not make one a Good citizen, (I encourage both) ….but having a voice and protecting those without a voice is what a Good citizen does.
GOD, ZEUS, BUDDHA, L.RON HUBBARD, TIM TEBOW BLESS AMERICA!
Sherry says
Thanks YankeeExPat, an excellent post and Right On!
@MannyHMo, while I agree with your comments about Norway. . . having enjoyed my time there in the land of kind, civilized, caring people. . . “I” am offended, just as the Norwegians would be. Those that want to wallow in the soulless gutter with trump and condone his foul, racist diatribe like @Richard, R&R and Veteran are only hurting themselves. They are to be pitied for there is only fear and hate in their hearts.
As far as trump is concerned. . . he is unfit for the job in more ways than I want to bother documenting here. He should be “impeached”, BUT, he will not be because of the Completely Corrupt, Cowardly Republican member of Congress!
Makeitso1701 says
All I can say is,WOW, how low can you trumpsters go?trump is racist,coward,bigot ignorant idiot. How much lower can you trump fans go? How embarrassing!
gmath55 says
This is why the deplorables like Trump. He tells it like it is. No teleprompter. No political correctness.
Rob says
Just sayin, no way you voted for President Trump, stop telling fibs. Fact is try to move to European countries and you will find out that you have a visa only and once it expires you are gone. Try moving to China and marrying a Chinese person it is illegal to work if you are from another country.
The only people invading the US want our free stuff, not our freedom and being allowed to blend into the melting pot of the past.
Traveling Rep says
And yet again, he owns the media for another news cycle! I never get tired of the liberal tears…
Hilarious making the description SH country synonymous with racism? seriously? What a bunch of corn flakes…
I guess you’ve all forgotten about the term “Super Predator” coined by your beloved HRC.
Stranger in a strange land says
Deafening silence from Desantis. It will be interesting to see when this hyper self serving, self promoting TOTAL politician and best example of a swamp dweller will give up on Trump and deny he was one of Trump’s lap dogs. So far, he has tied his future to Trump. Actually it’s easy to predict. It will be when he figures out it is endangering his calculated political climb. If he wins the Gov. nomination watch how fast his attitude toward Trump chanes (like Scott’s is evolving his Trump support for the Senate race). The only way I see Desantis maintaining his unconditional support for Trump is if he has been promised a position in the Trump administration if he loses the governor race. If this is his “backup plan” I recommend he check in with Chris Cristie to see how Trump promises work out for the ambitious politicians out there.
Edith Campins says
Typical of Anonymous to blame the media and spew conspiracy theories ignoring the issue.
Is this the language the leader of the free world should be using to describe other countries? What happened to the dignity and decorum we expected from the president of the US?
Pogo says
@Stranger in a strange land
Thanks for reminding the people of FL 6th that tricky ron is slithering around in the shadows as usual. We don’t see him because all his time is spent dating ted cruz, and carrying water for weirdo billionaires like mercer and his daughter, the koch machine, and old rupert. He’s probably angling for a desk or couch on Fox and Fools.
cristie cream put jared kushner’s daddy in prison. It’s unbelievable he got in the car with trump and didn’t know it was a one way ride. It just goes to show that cristie really had nowhere else and nothing else going. Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving creep. I can hear trump now, “Leave the gun – bring the cannoli.”
Outsider says
I guess it was okay when Obama called Egypt a “shit show.” Oh, the humanity….
Anonymous says
I do believe president Obama called Lybia a S++++ hole a nd Clinton’s called all who voted for trump deplorables -homophobes etc also Lindsay graham an called Mexico a hell hole. No outrage by the media
DRedder says
Since when can’t a POTUS curse.
Secondly now that all the left has swore these shit hole & corrupt nations are in fact not then they aught to be removed from thier special status listing , all who where given priority status returned, and any future migrants stopped.
Go to google earth over the island of Hispanola and zoom in on the area where the border of Haiti and DR runs down the center of the island. On the eastern side of the border green fields, vegetation, and agriculture. On the western side all you see is a landscape that is dotted with open pits filled with garbage it more closely resembles Hades in the depths of hell than Haiti or any other place on this planet. Haiti is such a shit hole you can literally see it from space!!!
Old Hammock says
Even if President Trump did say they were “shitholes”… he isn’t wrong. He’s not referencing the people who live there, it’s the country itself. Yes, it is a shithole. I’ve been there.
Steadfastandloyal says
Some of you self righteous hypocrites should be recorded in your private conversations, better yet to have your colleague run to the press and serve you up on a platter for all to hear!! Lesson learned here, don’t trust your colleagues especially the dem’s
another vet says
If these countries aren’t shitholes why are people leaving them
Pierre Tristam says
Vet, do people moving to Florida from Colorado or Georgia make Colorado and Georgia shithole states? Or is it just the black and brown neighborhoods in those states that are shitholes by your definition?
Makeitso1701 says
I wonder if the trumpets would be ok if their kids teachers used that kind of language in class. They would be up in arms and asking those teachers to resign. The trumpster is a white guy with a lot of money and no class,no morals and a cold hearted bastard.
Sherry says
Annnnnnnd here’s what other countries think of trump:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/368996-german-magazine-der-spiegel-shows-trump-as-devolved-man-in