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Justin Trudeau backtracks on ‘peoplekind’ comment, calls it a ‘dumb joke’

Click to play video: 'Trudeau clarifies his ‘peoplekind’ remarks after drawing criticism'
Trudeau clarifies his ‘peoplekind’ remarks after drawing criticism
WATCH: Trudeau clarifies his 'peoplekind' remarks after drawing criticism – Feb 7, 2018

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau clarified his “peoplekind” remark Wednesday morning, after receiving backlash from several media outlets.

READ MORE: Justin Trudeau’s ‘peoplekind’ remark draws ridicule in U.S. and U.K. media

While in Ottawa, Trudeau told media that the comment was just a “dumb joke,” which seems to have gone viral.

“I made a dumb joke a few days ago that seems to have gone a little viral in the room on the ‘peoplekind’ comment,” he said.

WATCH: Trudeau corrects woman who said ‘mankind’ during Edmonton town hall

Click to play video: '‘Peoplekind’: Trudeau corrects woman who said ‘mankind’ during Edmonton town hall'
‘Peoplekind’: Trudeau corrects woman who said ‘mankind’ during Edmonton town hall

The prime minister’s controversial comment came last week during his Edmonton town hall when he interrupted a woman who used the term “mankind” in a question.

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“We like to say ‘peoplekind,’ not necessarily ‘mankind,’ because it’s more inclusive,” Trudeau said.

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The woman was asking Trudeau to look into conservative religious policies.

READ MORE: Right-wing U.S. media attacks Trudeau’s abortion stance

“Maternal love is going to change the future of mankind,” the woman said.

Trudeau’s comment resulted in cheers from the audience but drew ire from conservative media outlets in the U.S. and U.K.

WATCH: Fox & Friends segment on Justin Trudeau’s ‘peoplekind’ remark

Click to play video: 'Fox & Friends segment on Justin Trudeau’s ‘peoplekind’ remark'
Fox & Friends segment on Justin Trudeau’s ‘peoplekind’ remark

Fox and Friends was among the programs that played the footage of Trudeau. British media personality Piers Morgan also wrote about the remark, sarcastically saying, “Mankind ended last night.”

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Morgan’s piece criticized Trudeau as the most “touchy-feely Prime Minister in the history of world politics.”

“He marched at Canada’s version of Gay Pride, he’s pro-choice on abortion, pro legalizing marijuana and pro just about anything else that he thinks might win him the hearts of global liberals,” the opinion piece continued.

The Opposition Conservatives also got in a few jabs, with deputy Tory leader Lisa Raitt urging the prime minister to “person up” during a testy exchange in the House of Commons.

WATCH: Conservative MP urges Trudeau to ‘person-up’

Click to play video: 'Tory leader urges Trudeau to ‘person-up’'
Tory leader urges Trudeau to ‘person-up’

On Wednesday, Trudeau said that the joke “played well in context” of the setting — but not out of context.

“It’s a little reminder to me that I shouldn’t be making jokes even when I think they’re funny,” he said.

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WATCH: Singh calls Trudeau ‘peoplekind’ comment an example of ‘mansplaining’

Click to play video: 'Singh calls Trudeau ‘peoplekind’ comment an example of ‘mansplaining’'
Singh calls Trudeau ‘peoplekind’ comment an example of ‘mansplaining’

— With files from Global News reporter Rebecca Joseph, The Canadian Press 

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