House Speaker Paul Ryan chastised President Trump Friday, calling his slur about African countries "very unfortunate" and "unhelpful." Ryan spoke to a room full of Wisconsin lawmakers, business executives and education leaders at a forum in downtown Milwaukee, sponsored by Wispolitics. He was referring to Trump's asking, during an Oval Office meeting with lawmakers, why the U.S. should admit more immigrants from "shithole countries" in Africa.
READ: Trump Denies Using Vulgar Slur; Top Democrat Says He Said It
Ryan said he bristled when he heard of Trump's comments. "So, the first thing that came to my mind was very unfortunate, unhelpful. But, you know who I thought of right away? I thought about my own family."
Ryan said his ancestors came to the U.S. from Ireland in the 19th century and were "really looked down upon." He called immigration a beautiful story of America and said people from Africa in his hometown of Janesville are incredible citizens.
