The US President has denied accusations of racism.
Donald Trump has refocused his attack on four Democratic congresswomen, all of whom hail from ethnically diverse backgrounds, following Sunday’s declaration that they should “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came.”
Addressing the comments while speaking to reporters during an event outside the White House on Monday, Trump accused his detractors of “hating” their country.
Having been accused of racism and xenophobia, the US President hit back by dismissing the accusations while reaffirming his position.
“That’s what I said in a tweet which I guess some people think is controversial,” he began.
“A lot of people love it, by the way. A lot of people love it. But if you’re not happy in the US, if you’re complaining all the time – very simply; you can leave. You can leave right now.
“Come back if you want. Don’t come back, that’s okay, too. But if you’re not happy, you can leave.”
Trump’s words were met with a smattering of applause from some in attendance.
Sunday’s “go back” comments in which Trump singled out women who “originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe” were widely perceived to be directed at Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley and Ilhan Omar.
On Monday morning, Trump unleashed another series of tweets against the “very unpopular and unrepresentative” congresswomen, whom he called on to apologise for their “horrible and disgusting actions”.
He would continue this stance on Monday afternoon when speaking in public, effectively tripling down on the issue.
“I mean, I look at the one, I look at Omar,” he noted.
“I mean, I don’t know her, I never met her – I hear the way she talks about Al-Qaeda.
“Al-Qaeda has killed many Americans. She said, ‘You can hold your chest out, you can, when I think of America, huh. When I think of Al-Qaeda, I can hold my chest out’.
“These are people that, in my opinion, hate our country,” Trump continued.
“Now, you can say what you want, but get a list of all of the statements they’ve made, and all that I’m saying is that if they’re not happy here, they can leave.
“They can leave, and you know what? I’m sure that there will be many people that won’t miss them. But they have to love our country, they’re congresspeople – and I never used any names – but these are people that if they don’t like it here, they can leave.”
Asked if he was concerned that his comments are being regarded as racist, Trump stood firm.
“Not at all,” he offered.
“It doesn’t concern me because many people agree with me. All I’m saying is that if they want to leave, they can leave. It doesn’t say leave forever.”
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