Trump denies racism charges as House prepares rebuke

US President Donald Trump denied accusations of racism on Tuesday after launching an attack on four minority Democratic lawmakers, saying he does not have "a racist bone in my body".

Trump tweeted out a defense of his incendiary remarks about the congresswomen as the House of Representatives was poised to vote on a resolution condemning his "xenophobic tweets".

In a series of weekend tweets attacking the four lawmakers -- who are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African American origin -- Trump urged them to "go back" to their countries of origin.

He doubled down on the provocative comments Monday and again Tuesday. "Our Country is Free, Beautiful and Very Successful. If you hate our Country, or if you are not happy here, you can leave!" the president tweeted Tuesday morning.

Democratic leaders have roundly condemned Trump's remarks, and rallied round the lawmakers -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley -- who with the exception of Omar were born in the United States.

Slamming the "so-called vote" scheduled for later Tuesday as a "Democrat con game," Trump urged his fellow Republicans not to "show 'weakness' and fall into their trap."