President Donald Trump posted his first comments about immigration reform on Twitter late Thursday night since the Washington Post reported on his allegedly saying he wanted less people from “shithole countries” let in the U.S. during an immigration meeting with lawmakers earlier Thursday in the Oval Office.

Screen image, Drudge Report, January 11, 2018.

“The Democrats seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the Southern Border, risking thousands of lives in the process. It is my duty to protect the lives and safety of all Americans. We must build a Great Wall, think Merit and end Lottery & Chain. USA!”

The Democrats seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the Southern Border, risking thousands of lives in the process. It is my duty to protect the lives and safety of all Americans. We must build a Great Wall, think Merit and end Lottery & Chain. USA! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018

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The Post reported Trump’s alleged comments:

President Trump grew frustrated with lawmakers Thursday in the Oval Office when they discussed protecting immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and African countries as part of a bipartisan immigration deal, according to several people briefed on the meeting. “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?” Trump said, according to these people, referring to countries mentioned by the lawmakers. Trump then suggested that the United States should instead bring more people from countries such as Norway, whose prime minister he met with Wednesday. The president, according to a White House official, also suggested he would be open to more immigrants from Asian countries because he felt they help the United States economically. In addition, the president singled out Haiti, telling lawmakers that immigrants from that country must be left out of any deal, these people said. “Why do we need more Haitians?” Trump said, according to people familiar with the meeting. “Take them out.” End excerpt.

Earlier, Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary Raj Shah sent out a statement to reporters that expounded on Trump’s immigration principals, but did not deny the Post’s report.

https://twitter.com/kathrynw5/status/951576654425534465

Screen image of Sha’s statement.