Lindsey Graham had issued a statement Friday that appeared to back up the report that Donald Trump used vulgar language when referring to some countries. | Zach Gibson/Getty Images Graham: ‘My memory hasn’t evolved’ on Trump ‘shithole’ meeting

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Monday said his “memory hasn’t evolved” on the meeting where President Donald Trump reportedly questioned why the U.S. allows in people from “shithole” countries, according to a local news report.

However, Graham wouldn’t confirm that Trump actually used the word “shithole,” according to The Post and Courier.


"My memory hasn't evolved,” Graham said. “I know what was said and I know what I said."

Graham had issued a statement Friday that appeared to back up the report that Trump used such language. "Following comments by the President, I said my piece directly to him yesterday," Graham said. "The President and all those attending the meeting know what I said and how I feel. I’ve always believed that America is an idea, not defined by its people but by its ideals."

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Graham’s fellow South Carolina senator, Republican Tim Scott, on Friday also said Graham had told him that reports that Trump used the term “shithole” were “basically accurate.”

Trump has denied making the comments, and Sens. David Perdue (R-Ga.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) both said on Sunday that they didn’t hear Trump say “shithole.”

The president has been roundly criticized by Republicans, Democrats and world leaders for allegedly uttering the “shithole” phrase, a remark many have called racist.