Paul Ryan Says Trump’s ‘Sh*thole Countries’ Comment Was ‘Unfortunate’

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 11:  House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a weekly press conference on Capitol Hill on January 11, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 11: House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a weekly press conference on Capitol Hill on January 11, 2018 in Washington, DC. Ryan defended the president after Trump weighed in on the co... WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 11: House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks during a weekly press conference on Capitol Hill on January 11, 2018 in Washington, DC. Ryan defended the president after Trump weighed in on the controversial program, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Nearly a day after reports surfaced that President Donald Trump referred to African countries as “shithole countries” in a White House meeting with lawmakers, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) called the remarks “unfortunate” and “unhelpful.”

“So, first thing that came to my mind, was, very unfortunate, unhelpful,” Ryan said when asked about Trump’s reported comments on Friday afternoon at an event in Milwaukee.

Ryan, who was not at the meeting where the remarks were allegedly made, said that Trump’s alleged comments made him think of his own family, who immigrated from Ireland when the Irish were not treated very well in the U.S. He said that immigration is “what makes this country so exceptional and unique in the first place” and said it’s “important that we celebrate that.”

Since the Washington Post and the New York Times first reported Trump’s derogatory comments on Thursday afternoon, few Republicans have offered criticism of the President, including the Republican lawmakers who were present at the meeting.

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  1. It was unfortunate? It was UNFORTUNATE??? IT WAS UNFORTUNATE???

    No, you miserable excuse of a human being, it was RACIST, BIGOTED, DEMEANING, AND CAUSE FOR RESIGNATION.!!!

  2. Such conviction! Way to go out on a limb, Paul.

  3. Unfortunate is such a useful word for hypocrites caught in a bind.

  4. “Unfortunate” you spineless weasel?

  5. The GOP has finally found its conscience.

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