Members of both parties roundly criticized President Donald Trump after the Washington Post reported he called Haiti and African countries “shithole countries.”

The White House did not initially deny that Trump made the remarks in a bipartisan meeting about immigration.

But Friday morning, after the controversy had brewed through the night, the president tweeted that he didn’t use those words.

The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made – a big setback for DACA! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, who is retiring, said he wants “a detailed explanation” of the president’s remarks. The Utah Republican, who is considered an ally and has spoken positively of the president, said “part of what makes America so special is that we welcome the best the brightest in the world, regardless of country of origin.”