During a rally in New Hampshire held over the weekend, former President Donald Trump declared that the ongoing border crisis is "poisoning the blood of our country." 

While those words immediately led to allegations of racism, the former president's supporters say that his words have been taken out of context.

This is not the first time Trump has used the word "poisoning" in reference to the border, as The Hill reported in 2016 that he asserted that "drugs that are pouring into the country, poisoning our youth."

Reuters noted that Trump's comments were quickly seized on by his critics, including Anti-Defamation League (ADL) director Jonathan Greenblatt, who denounced the former president's remarks as being "racist, xenophobic and despicable."

Ben Shapiro says Trump was slamming Democratic policy, not immigrants

Jason Stanley is a Yale professor, and he voiced complaints as well, alleging that what the president said was reminiscent of phrases used decades ago by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

"This is very concerning talk for the safety of immigrants in the U.S.," Stanley said, calling Trump's words "dangerous speech."

However, some conservatives argued that Trump's words are being deliberately misconstrued by members of the liberal media to appear racist.

That includes podcast host Ben Shapiro, who on Monday said, "When he says 'they,' who is he talking about? Clearly Democrats."

Lindsey Graham: Americans should focus on terrorists and drug dealers

"He's talking about his political opposition," Shapiro continued. "He said they're letting in everyone into the country--they're poisoning the blood of the country. Not immigrants."

Indeed, illegal immigration has been at record levels since shortly after Biden took office.

Axios reported that South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham came to Trump's defense as well, stating, "I could care less what language people use as long as we get it right."

"I believe in legal immigration. I have no animosity toward people trying to come to our country," he said.

"I have animosity against terrorists and against drug dealers," he added.