The US president did not disappoint in his most recent speech, confounding the world with his reference to a terrorist attack that never happened.
During a rally in Florida on Saturday, Trump confidently said, "Look what happened last night in Sweden,” to emphasise the link between migrants and terrorism.
It wasn’t clear to some in the audience, much of the world, and all of Sweden what exactly he was talking about because the most significant event from in the country for the night before only involved a glitter explosion at Melodifestivalen, the Swedish qualifier for the Eurovision Song Contest.
https://twitter.com/JohanssonDPJ/status/833257847395868672
Even former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt was confused:
Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound. https://t.co/XWgw8Fz7tj
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) February 19, 2017
And former PM Alexander Stubb defended his country:
Dear @realDonaldTrump, Sweden is immigration friendly, international & liberal. One of the most prosperous, richest, safest places on earth.
— Alexander Stubb (@alexstubb) February 19, 2017
Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet has since mocked Trump's statement by presenting some of the 'major' news stories from Sweden.
Some social media users defended him by saying he probably confused Sweden with Sehwan, where an actual terrorist attack did happen, and even Pakistani users got into the act.
After all the Twitter jokes of #lastnightinsweden sad not to see people extend any actual solidarity to the real victims of terror in Sehwan
— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) February 19, 2017
But after Trump clarified that he was referring to a report he saw on Fox News, the paper also readily debunked the TV channel's reporting.
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
Then the Swedish Embassy in Washington got in on the act:
We look forward to informing the US administration about Swedish immigration and integration policies. https://t.co/x5G3euOWRh
— Embassy of Sweden USA (@SwedeninUSA) February 19, 2017
Trump has since been mocked by Twitter users, and even Chelsea Clinton, the daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Trump's defeated opponent Hillary Clinton, joined the fray.
What happened in Sweden Friday night? Did they catch the Bowling Green Massacre perpetrators?
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) February 19, 2017
Clinton was referring to the recent 'alternative fact' presented by White House Counsellor Kellyanne Conway.
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Another user offered a photo of a migratory killing machine.
One of the suspects of the incident #LastNightInSweden arrested by police. Our polar bear problem is YUGE! Sad. pic.twitter.com/uaDLZomnws
— Per Axbom (@axbom) February 19, 2017
Others shared images referencing famous DIY Swedish furniture maker IKEA.
https://twitter.com/akaeugenius/status/833513500555223040
https://twitter.com/WOTW626/status/833490708464017410
Sweden, which has a long reputation for welcoming refugees and migrants, had a record 163,000 asylum applications in 2015. The country has since cut back on the number it annually accepts.
Its most recent attack linked to extremism happened in the capital, Stockholm, in December 2010. An Iraqi-born Swede detonated two explosive devices, including one that killed him but no one else.
British historian Simon Schama pointed out the real refugee story in Sweden.
The real Swedish message: 200,000 refugees, no terrorist attacks
— Simon Schama (@simon_schama) February 19, 2017
In the month he has been president, Trump's remarks and those of his staff have fueled numerous news media "fact checks" pointing out inaccuracies and falsehoods. On the subject of terrorism, Conway referred to a "Bowling Green Massacre" that never occurred.
Also, for anyone wondering what happened at Melfest, this guy got through to the next round.
https://twitter.com/Krabbish/status/833215078845599744
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