Ghana’s president on Trump’s ‘s—hole’ remark: ‘We will not accept such insults’

The president of the Republic of Ghana fired back at President Trump Saturday, saying his country “will not accept such insults” after Trump reportedly referred to African nations as “shithole countries.”

“The language of @realDonaldTrump that the African continent, Haiti and El Salvador are ‘shithole countries’ is extremely unfortunate. We are certainly not a ‘shithole country,’ ” President Nana Akufo-Addo tweeted. “We will not accept such insults, even from a leader of a friendly country, no matter how powerful.”

The language of @realDonaldTrump that the African continent, Haiti and El Salvador are “shithole countries” is extremely unfortunate. We are certainly not a “shithole country”. We will not accept such insults, even from a leader of a friendly country, no matter how powerful.

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) January 13, 2018

Trump reportedly made the remark in an Oval Office meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Thursday. He also reportedly said the U.S. should bring in more immigrants from places like Norway instead of Haiti, El Salvador and African countries.

{mosads}In a statement, the White House did not deny Trump’s “shithole” comments, but on Friday Trump denied the specific remark, saying he only used “tough” language.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who attended the meeting, said the president’s denials were “not true” and that Trump “said these hate-filled things, and he said them repeatedly.”

Trump has faced worldwide backlash since reports of the remarks surfaced. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called on Trump to apologize for the remarks, and many Democrats have accused Trump of harboring racist views.

The African Union on Friday demanded Trump apologize for the comment, saying they “dishonor the celebrated American creed and respect for diversity and human dignity.”

State Department officials reportedly said Friday that multiple U.S. diplomats were summoned to explain Trump’s remarks, and department officials reportedly warned diplomats to expect an “earful” from the countries’ officials.