During a campaign-style rally Saturday in Florida, President Trump referred to an incident in Sweden to defend his controversial executive order on immigration and refugees, sparking a wave of social media quips questioning what he was talking about.
“You look at what’s happening in Germany. You look at what’s happening last night in Sweden. Sweden! Who would believe this?” he said. “They took in large numbers, they’re having problems like they never thought possible.”
“Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound,” former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt responded on Twitter.
Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound. https://t.co/XWgw8Fz7tj
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) February 19, 2017
Other social media users mocked the president, causing #SwedenIncident and #LastNightInSweden to trend on Twitter.
Meanwhile in Sweden hoards of them are streaming over the border. #lastnightinSweden pic.twitter.com/r1yK7fLALl
— Darcy Pershwood (@darcypershwood) February 19, 2017
After the terrible events #lastnightinSweden , IKEA have sold out of this: pic.twitter.com/Bs1XI7ffKG
— Jeanna Louise Skinner (@JeannaLStars) February 19, 2017
My heart goes out to everyone who perished in the Swedish Meatball Massacre. Candlelight vigil at IKEA at dusk. #swedenincident
— Bryan “a very stable genius” (@Unpresidented0) February 19, 2017
Somebody help me out since I’m not good at geography – Is Bowling Green in Sweden? #swedenincident
— Pat Jennings (@VeryRecent1) February 19, 2017
What happened in Sweden Friday night? Did they catch the Bowling Green Massacre perpetrators?
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) February 19, 2017
Trump did not elaborate on the alleged incident until Sunday afternoon. Some speculated a Fox News interview that aired Friday night with filmmaker Ami Horowitz, who blames migrants for a crime wave in Sweden, prompted Trump’s comments. Trump confirmed he had watched the Fox report in a tweet.
“My statement as to what’s happening in Sweden was in reference to a story that was broadcast on @FoxNews concerning immigrants and Sweden,” he wrote.
My statement as to what’s happening in Sweden was in reference to a story that was broadcast on @FoxNews concerning immigrants & Sweden.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2017
The Swedish embassy wrote on Twitter that it has asked U.S. officials for an explanation.
Later Sunday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Catarina Axelsson confirmed to the Associated Press that the embassy contacted the State Department to request clarification. She said the country is still waiting for an answer.
@SteveKopack On #swedenincident unclear to us what President Trump was referring to, have asked US officials for explanation
— Embassy of Sweden US (@SwedeninUSA) February 19, 2017
