Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) addressed reporters Friday morning, confirming on the record that President Trump did use the word "s***hole" to describe countries like Haiti and El Salvador and the continent of Africa. Trump denies using such vulgar language.
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
But, Durbin said he was there and he knows what he heard.
"It is not true," Durbin said of Trump's defensive tweets. "He said these hate-filled things, and he said them repeatedly."
When Trump made the remarks, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) spoke up, Durbin added. He commended his colleague for doing so.
Sen. Durbin: "My colleague, [Sen. Graham], spoke up and made a direct comment on what the president said ... for him to confront the president as he did, literally sitting next to him, took extraordinary political courage and I respect him for it."
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 12, 2018
What a difference a few days and news cycles makes. On Tuesday, Durbin sat beside the president during a live, bipartisan meeting on immigration reform that was roundly praised by the media - even by CNN. Come Friday, the president is racist again, according to those same outlets.
Other Republicans are speaking out, including Rep. Mia Love (R-UT), the only Haitian-American member of Congress.