“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?”

These are words allegedly uttered by Donald Trump, president of the United States and arguably the world’s most powerful man. And the world is up and fuming in outrage.

Trump’s allged ‘shithole countries’ remark came during a meeting with law makers at the Oval Office regarding what to do with children brought to the United States illegally. Such children had been protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy.

According to the Washington Post, Trump became visibly irritated as his agenda of pushing out immigrants appeared to not be in favor. Trump’s administration and campaign has centered around a “Make America Great Again” rhetoric which heavily alludes to the expulsion of immigrants. His use of ‘shithole countries’ was allegedly in reference to Haiti and countries in Africa.

Trump further said that the United Nations should bring in immigrants from Norway. To him, they would make a difference in the economy of the US. He also had no problem with Asian immigrants coming to stay in the US.

The World Responds

Following these words, the world went up in rage. Many felt it was outrageous, shocking, shameful and outright racist. Others went on to demand an immediate apology from Trump and the US government.

In a statement, Rupert Colville who is the United Nations Human Rights spokesman said,

“There is no other word one can use but racist…You cannot dismiss entire countries and continents as shitholes, whose entire populations, who are not white, are therefore not welcome.”

This was in reference to the hard language against Africans and Haitians and softness to Norwegians and Asians.

Republicans and Democrats alike did not spare him either. Mia Love, the Utah Rep. said,

“The President’s comment are unkind, divisive, elitist, and fly in the face of our nation’s values. This behavior is unacceptable from the leader of our nation.”

Love is a Haitian American and demanded an apology from Trump.

The Ambassador of Haiti to the US, Paul Altidor said he was surpised and disappointed. The shithole comments on Haiti came just as the country prepared to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the deaths of more than 200,000 people. These had died from the 7.0 Mw 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Former Mexican president, Vicente Fox, who is also a great Trump critic said, “Trump’s mouth is the foulest shithole in the world.” He further said that America has been built on diversity.

In Africa, Trump’s racist remarks did not go unnoticed. The government of Botswana summoned the US ambassador to Botswana and demanded an apology. The African Union through its spokesperson, Ebba Kalondo said it was alarmed and infuriated.

Norwegians on social media also expressed their anger at Trump’s racist remarks. A Twitter user named Torbjoern Saetre said,

“On behalf of Norway: Thanks, but no thanks.”

Another one said, “We are not coming. Cheers from Norway.”

Trump in a tweet tried to explain his statement. He said,

“The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made – a big setback for DACA!”

It was however not enough as condemnation has continued to flow from all over the world.

Not all are condemning him though. Some think he talked the truth. A Kenyan blogger named Cyprian Nyakundi had the following to say;

 “Watch out, Africans. American white media always portrays Africa as a shithole with poor amenities, hunger and poor leadership, etc. And now they are baiting you to hate on Trump for saying the truth. They must be laughing at you.”