Staff ReporterPresident Donald Trump has said he and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari did not discuss his reported use of a vulgarity in describing African countries earlier this year.
Answering a reporter’s question Monday, Trump said he and Buhari did not talk about reports that he used a term for a filthy toilet when telling U.S. lawmakers that he wanted less immigration from certain countries in Africa and more from places like Norway.
Trump said Monday that there are ‘some countries that are in very bad shape and very tough places to live in.’
Buhari deflected, saying he was unsure about ‘whether that allegation against the president was true or not.’
Trump adds that he and Buhari didn’t discuss it ‘because the president knows me and he knows where I’m coming from.’
President Donald Trump and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari speak during a news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Monday
Buhari deflected a question by a reporter asking about Trump’s S**thole comments, saying he was unsure about ‘whether that allegation against the president was true or not’
President Donald Trump has also refused to apologize for his inflammatory rhetoric on immigration even if it impacts the legal fortune of his travel ban.
The president said Monday, while at a White House news conference alongside President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, that he had nothing for which to apologize.
He also said he did not believe it would make any difference. The latest iteration of his travel ban is currently being considered by the Supreme Court.
Trump also said his administration was monitoring the progress of a caravan of migrants making its way north through Latin America toward the United States.
He declined to say how many of the migrants should be admitted to the U.S. but bemoaned the nation’s immigration laws as ‘the worst.’
In his speech the president said the US values Nigeria’s role as a strong democratic leader in West Africa.
Nigeria is one of America’s largest trading partners in the region. Trump said the US is having conversations with Nigeria about removing trade barriers.
Trump says the nation will invest ‘substantially’ in Nigeria if Buhari can create a level playing field.
Trump also noted that Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has taken steps to fight government corruption and improve the trade climate.
Trump urged Nigeria to take down trade barriers to allow additional U.S. investment in the African nation.
Trump said he and Buhari did not discuss his vulgar comments during their meeting
President Donald Trump said the extremist group Boko Haram has been a ‘terrible problem’ for Nigeria.
Buhari thanked the US for its commitment to fighting terrorism and said US action has helped his country a lot.
Boko Haram launched a violent insurgency in the Nigerian northeast nine years ago with the aim of creating an Islamic state. Thousands of people have been killed. Mass abductions of schoolgirls brought Boko Haram international notoriety and one faction has declared allegiance to the Islamic State group.
The Nigerian president’s visit follows an uncomfortable start to the Trump administration’s approach to the world’s second most populous continent.
Trump caused anger in Nigeria last year after reports that he said Nigerians wouldn’t want to return to their ‘huts’ if allowed to visit the US.
Nigeria was also among the African nations that summoned the US ambassador to explain Trump’s comments comparing Africa to a filthy toilet.
Buhari was among the first two African leaders Trump called after taking office, along with South Africa’s president.
