I am NOT a racist, screams cornered Donald Trump

After facing much flak both at home and in the international arena over his "shithole countries” remark he made on Thursday, US President Donald Trump on Monday insisted he is not a racist, in what is being viewed as a damage control effort to pacify both the global and local audience. 

Trump had during a meeting with lawmakers about immigration reform demanded to know why the US should accept citizens from what he called shithole countries. 

"No No I'm not a racist. I am the least racist person you have ever interviewed. That I can tell you," Trump told reporters in Florida in response to a question about allegations from his rivals that he is a racist.

The comment was first reported by The Washington Post and The New York Times later reported the same comment, citing unnamed people with direct knowledge of the meeting. 

Trump has himself denied having used that word but has admitted using "tough" language in the meeting. 

(With PTI inputs)