On Friday morning, President Trump awoke to swirling reports publicizing vulgar language he allegedly used to disparage foreign nations during a bipartisan meeting on immigration. The meeting took place Thursday afternoon, but Trump waited more than 12 hours to address the reports that he'd referred to Haiti and various African states as "shithole countries" — and when he finally did, he denied making any such remarks.

Moreover, Trump claimed: "I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians."

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

Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said "take them out." Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings - unfortunately, no trust! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

It seems the Haitian government does not agree with Trump's sunshine-and-rainbows claims, however. On Friday morning, Haiti issued a statement calling Trump's comment "racist" and stated the president's language "in no way [reflects] the virtues of wisdom, restraint, and discernment that must be cultivated by any high political authority."

CNN's Jake Tapper pointed out Friday morning that, per a source "familiar with the meeting," Trump only referred to African countries as "shithole countries" and was not including Haiti in this description. So the president's denial that he insulted the island nation may be correct on a technicality — but still, Tapper reminded, "this does not make what [Trump] said any more acceptable." Kelly O'Meara Morales