Democrats and the media think they have the golden bullet to take down Trump, in the form of the “s–thole” comment during DACA negotiations behind closed doors.

There are conflicting claims and reports as to whether the term was used, and to whom he was referring if it were used. Original reports said it was mentioned in relation to Haiti, but that has been walked back. Whether you agree with the comment or not, assuming it were used, it hardly merits the current obsession, with no sign of letting up. It’s 24/7. Many Republicans are asking only “how high” they have to jump in condemning Trump.

But as Ann Althouse pointed out, there’s nothing inherently racist is the term – unless you believe the worst about majority non-white countries. In which case you might be the racist:

“Shithole” is a perfectly good rude, slangy word. It has a great history, and it’s vivid and effective. It is not a racial term, and shame on the people who are making it racist. I wonder if these people ever think of the pain and damage they are causing by proclaiming and insisting upon a connection between dark skin and excrement. They’re revealing what’s in their head, and they don’t mind burdening dark-skinned people with the knowledge that they are being thought about like that.

Trump and two Republican Senators present deny the term was used, others present have observed a curious near-silence or have obfuscated, but Dick Durbin has been front and center asserting that the term was used.

If Durbin is lying, it wouldn’t be the first time.

In 2013 Durbin claimed that an unnamed Republican, in a closed door meeting with Obama and Speaker John Boehner, said “I cannot even stand to look at you.” Both the White House and Boehner denied that statement was made.

Durbin also claims Trump’s use of the term “chain migration” during the negotiation was racist, even though Durbin has used the term in the past.

The Washington Post did not say in its article disclosing the alleged Trump comment who the source was. But given Durbin’s history of lying about comments made behind closed doors and deliberate attempt to portray “chain migration” as a racist term, it’s reasonable to believe it was Durbin or someone acting for Durbin.

Why would Durbin deliberately seek to blow up the negotiations? John Hinderaker makes a good point, aside from Durbin’s history of doing such things:

This story is a good illustration of the bizarre times in which we live. Trump made a good point in a private meeting with a small number of legislators. He may have used profanity while doing so, but he wasn’t making a speech. His political enemy, Dick Durbin, then ran to the press to damage Trump by quoting–probably misquoting–his private comments. The press jumped on the story eagerly, assuming Durbin’s account was correct and happily damaging America’s interests, as Democrats and Democratic reporters smugly told us was happening. Lost in the shuffle was the fact that Trump is right about immigration–chain migration and the lottery are crazy and need to go, in favor of a merit-based system–and a large majority of Americans agree with him.

The negotiations were not going Durbin’s way. Trump was taking a much harder line than expected. So Durbin went for the Hail Mary pass, to make it into a racism issue. The “s–thole” press strategy was just part of it, as was the “chain migration” terminology.

Durbin wasn’t going to get his way on DACA, so he blew it up, figuring it will be better as a campaign issue.



