In the United States, President Donald Trump finds himself on the defensive once again this weekend, following allegations he reportedly referred to certain countries in a derogatory, or what some believe to be a "racist" manner. His comments came during an immigration policy meeting at the White House on Thursday, and they have provoked a lot of anger both in the US and across the world. CGTN's Jim Spellman brings us up to date on Trump's latest controversy.

During a Thursday meeting at the White House with lawmakers about immigration, US President Donald Trump allegedly made vulgar remarks while referring to immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and African nations. Trump now denies saying the crude word but admits he used "tough" language. On Twitter, he wrote:"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!" Democratic Senator Dick Durbin was in the room and says Trump did use the vulgar term.

DICK DURBIN US SENATOR "I think back presidents throughout history, and I cannot imagine a moment where a president sunk to that depth. That's what breaks my heart."

Strong condemnation of the remarks is pouring in from around the world.

RUPERT COLVILLE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS "I'm sorry but there's no other word one can use but 'racist'. You cannot dismiss entire countries and continents as "*******', whose entire populations, who are not white, are therefore not welcome."

The Haitian government has summoned the US ambassador to explain the comments and requested an apology; South Africa's ruling party has called the language "extremely offensive" and a spokeswoman for the African Union says:"Given the historical reality of how many Africans arrived in the United States as slaves, this statement flies in the face of all accepted behavior and practice."

And it's not just government officials reacting, people in the countries Trump cited are expressing outrage.

ABDIFATAH ALI MOGADISHU RESIDENT "We call for him to immediately apologize and retract his racist statement about this continent."

JIM SPELLMAN WASHINGTON DC "Amid the controversy, the White House is trying to strike a deal that would allow people who came to the US illegally as children to remain, while the president  wants getting concessions to fund a border wall and decrease immigration from some of the same countries the President mentioned with his vulgar term. These comments are not likely to make the negotiations any easier. Jim Spellman, CGTN, Washington."