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Donald Trump and Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari.
- President Donald Trump was offered the opportunity to deny he once referred to African nations as "shithole" countries while hosting Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in Washington on Monday, but instead said there are "some countries that are in very bad shape."
- When Buhari was questioned by reporters about the alleged remarks, he said, "I'm very careful with what the press says about others and myself. I'm not sure about the validity or whether that allegation was true or not."
- Buhari happens to be the first African leader Trump has hosted at the White House during his tenure thus far.
President Donald Trump was offered the opportunity to deny that he once referred to African nations as "shithole" countries while hosting Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in Washington on Monday, but instead said there are "some countries that are in very bad shape."
When Buhari was questioned by reporters about the alleged remarks, he said, "I'm very careful with what the press says about others and myself. I'm not sure about the validity or whether that allegation was true or not."
Trump then said, "We didn't discuss it. But you do have some countries that are in very bad shape."
During a discussion with lawmakers at the White House regarding immigrants in January, Trump reportedly exhibited frustration over the subject of protecting immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries. At the time, he allegedly said, "Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?" This alleged comment generated outrage across the US and wider world.
At the time, the Nigerian government summoned representatives of the US ambassador to explain Trump's comments. Nigerian foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama "sought clarification on the veracity or otherwise of the substance of the remarks, stressing that if they were true, they were deeply hurtful, offensive and unacceptable," Reuters reported.
On Monday, it seems Buhari did his best to avoid making things too awkward for Trump when the subject came up.
Buhari happens to be the first African leader Trump has hosted at the White House during his tenure thus far.