Donald Trump invites ridicule by referring to non-existent terrorist attack in Sweden
Users on Twitter, Trump’s favourite communication platform, cracked jokes about the apparent miscue using the hashtags #lastnightinSweden and #SwedenIncident
Bowling Green, Atlanta and now ... Sweden?
US President Donald Trump was speaking to supporters on Saturday when he apparently referred to the Scandinavian country as the site of a terror incident – the latest example of his administration naming a non-existent attack.
The Republican was addressing a campaign-style rally in Florida when he launched into a list of places that have been targeted by terrorists.
You look at what’s happening in Germany, you look at what’s happening last night in Sweden
“You look at what’s happening in Germany, you look at what’s happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this? Sweden. They took in large numbers. They’re having problems like they never thought possible,” he said in an energetic stream-of-consciousness speech, defending his order last month that blocked refugees and travellers from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the United States.
The order has been suspended by a federal appeals court, and Trump vowed to introduce a new order this week as a means of protecting Americans at home. He went on to name Brussels, Nice and Paris – European cities that have been struck by deadly terror attacks.
A Trump spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request early on Sunday for clarification on the president’s comment.
Users on Twitter, Trump’s favourite communication platform, cracked jokes about the apparent miscue using the hashtags #lastnightinSweden and #SwedenIncident.
Former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt asked: “Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound.”