January 12, 2018: "America is Not Defined by Its People but by Its Ideals."

 

1/12/18: A new day dawns. A brand-new cover story is ready. Trump denies on Twitter that he used the term “shithole” in a meeting with lawmakers. Yes, he admits, his language was “tough.” He says the “shithole” story is made up. He never insulted Haitians. “I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians.” All he wants to do is kick 60,000 of them out of this country. 

Other than that… 

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“America is…not defined by its people but by its ideals.” 

Sen. Lindsey Graham

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The new cover story takes a major hit when Senator Durbin says, no, Trump did use the term “shithole” and more than once. “I cannot imagine that in the history of that hallowed room [the Oval Office],” Durbin tells reporters, “where the president of the United States goes to work every day, there has ever been a conversation quite like that. It was vile, it was hateful, it was racist.” 

(Dare we say: It was Trump?) 

Two Republican lawmakers in the room issue a non-denial denial. Who, us? We don’t remember what Trump said. 

Senator Graham issues a lengthy statement which all but says, “Durbin is telling the truth. Trump is a liar.”

 

Here are the key lines: 

Following comments by the President, I said my piece directly to him yesterday. The President and all those attending the meeting know what I said and how I feel. I’ve always believed that America is an idea, not defined by its people but by its ideals…Diversity has always been our strength, not our weakness. In reforming immigration we cannot lose these American Ideals.

 

It doesn’t help Trump’s case when Tim Scott, South Carolina’s other GOP senator, tells reporters, Graham confirmed the shithole comments to him. Scott calls the president’s response “incredibly disappointing.”

Sen. Tim Scott, right.