President Trump made a remark about Sweden at Sunday’s campaign-style rally in Florida.
Trump said, “We’ve got to keep our country safe. You look at what’s happening in Germany, you look at what’s happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this?”
Liberal outlets immediately seized on the comment to express indignation and mockery. Trump was seemingly discussing terrorism when he brought up Sweden. But Sweden hasn’t had a terrorist attack recently.
Vox ran an article titled, “Trump’s invention of a Swedish terrorist attack was funny. But it likely comes from a dark place,” that argued that Trump’s mention of Sweden’s immigration policy was motivated by “a long history of sexual panics in the West about non-white immigrants.”
Washington Post wrote, “The influx of refugees has not come without problems in Sweden, but mainstream politicians and immigration experts say the criticism has been disproportionate.”
New York Times wrote, “Last Night in Sweden’? Trump’s Remark Baffles a Nation.”
Swedes joined in on the fun, too:
And if anyone has missed it, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED IN SWEDEN! There is no terrorattack or anything of the sort.
— @sweden / Emma (@sweden) February 19, 2017
Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound. https://t.co/XWgw8Fz7tj
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) February 19, 2017
The Swedish government is also reportedly looking for an explanation from the U.S.
It’s unknown how much crime is committed by immigrants in Sweden since the government refuses to collect statistics on immigrant crime.
However, we do know that refugee gangs have also been a menace at Swedish festivals two years in a row.
Sexual assault has risen by 70 percent in two years, and more than 13 percent of women report being afraid to go out at night.
Other European countries with similar immigrant populations show evidence of a high incidence of immigrant crime. Despite making up 8 percent of France’s population, Muslims are estimated to make up more than 70 percent of the prison population.
Donald Trump responded Sunday on Twitter:
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