'Pray For Sweden,' Tweeters Giggle After Trump's Latest Stumble

What's Hot

This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

'Pray For Sweden,' Tweeters Giggle After Trump's Latest Stumble

Mary Papenfuss— Trends reporter, The Huffington Post

Another day, another false alarm from the president — and then a welcome stretch of comic relief on Twitter.

Donald Trump's incredulousness at a rally Saturday that something had happened the previous night in Sweden as he was referring to European terrorist attacks had everyone scratching their heads.

"You look at what's happening in Germany, you look at what's happening last night in Sweden," he said passionately but mysteriously. "Sweden! Who would believe this?" No one could believe it — not even Sweden, whose officials contacted the White House to find out what he was talking about. Former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt asked what Trump had been smoking.

Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound. https://t.co/XWgw8Fz7tj
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) February 19, 2017

Which led to this:

#lastnightinsweden #swedenincident What IS #Trump smoking!?? #TrumpRally #TrumpLies pic.twitter.com/iDNCW3Twwy
— Jamie G (@jamers818) February 19, 2017

Trump clarified Sunday that he was referring to something he had seen on Fox News, apparently an interview with conservative filmmaker Ami Horowitz who linked a purported rising crime rate to thousands of refugees Sweden has welcomed to its country. The nation took in more refugees per capita than any other country in Europe in 2015.

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

We look forward to informing the US administration about Swedish immigration and integration policies. https://t.co/x5G3euOWRh
— Embassy of Sweden US (@SwedeninUSA) February 19, 2017

It was all great fuel for the Twitter fire that erupted with snarky rejoinders at #LastNightinSweden, #PrayForSweden, #SwedishIncident and #IStandWithSweden. Critics especially enjoyed juxtaposing Trump's implied terror attack against the reality of a pretty, tranquil, sometimes even downright dull Sweden.

#lastnightinsweden : Mass immigration from the north, due to global warming. pic.twitter.com/fJ8nMLKREP
— Jens (@tongotongoz) February 19, 2017

Never Forget! #IStandWithSweden #swedishincident pic.twitter.com/VDjCUkVoxS
— 'Ric Sperrazza (@TrainSpartanFit) February 20, 2017

live shot from #lastnightinsweden! #Trump #SwedenLastNight #bjoernout pic.twitter.com/KizV23NcUT
— p. less (@Bundeshashtag) February 19, 2017

#LastNightInSweden some dudes killed like 20 beers.
— JustinB (@Boston_Booch) February 19, 2017

WARNING! Graphic pictures of terror attack in Sweden! #IStandWithSweden pic.twitter.com/O2K6kPLx7Z
— ️ Dr. A ️ (@AAPsyc) February 20, 2017

Pray for Sweden. They will wake up with universal healthcare. Paid parental leave. Green energy. Free daycare. Sane leaders. #swedenincident
— pixeliza (@pixeliza) February 19, 2017

#lastnightinsweden I ate shrimp, drank some wine and counted my lucky stars I don't live in the US.
— Ida Grasman (@IdaGrasman) February 19, 2017

Alternative facts #swedenincident pic.twitter.com/QbSAzsHmyo
— Kimbro13 (@kimbro1360) February 19, 2017

Last night, Trump's hair color appeared in the Northern Lights. #LastNightInSweden
— Last Night In Sweden (@LastNiteNSweden) February 19, 2017

J.K. Rowling got in on the fun after Swedish news reported that the big story in the country on "terror day" was the rescue from a well of a horse named Biscuit. "Make Biscuit dry!" Rowling rallied with a new hashtag.

#MakeBiscuitDryAgain https://t.co/C7rPpZrcNf
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) February 19, 2017

Thanks to your prayers @jk_rowling Biscuit soon dry again #MakeBiscuitDryAgain @ChelseaClinton pic.twitter.com/shs4SnlM7P
— Leif Pagrotsky (@leifpagrotsky) February 19, 2017

There were the inevitable quips (including one from Chesea Clinton referring to Trump aide KellyAnne Conway's mention earlier this month of the nonexistent "Bowling Green Massacre" and White House spokesman Sean Spicer's reference to a nonexistent terror attack in Atlanta. The man the president spoke so glowingly of earlier this month, the late Frederick Douglass, appeared to resurrect again vowing to save Sweden.

What happened in Sweden Friday night? Did they catch the Bowling Green Massacre perpetrators?
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) February 19, 2017

For all those involved in the incident #LastNightInSweden the thoughts & prayers of the Bowling Green Massacre Survivors Group are with you.
— Redford King (@RedKingsRace) February 19, 2017

I believe our @potus @realdonaldtrump was referring to the @IKEAUSA massacre of Kullen, the Hurdal, the Hemnes and Trysil. #IStandWithSweden pic.twitter.com/lhqki1cvqb
— Chicago Mike (@ChicagoMGD) February 20, 2017

Sweden terror incident is the largest attack that never happened in Swedish history. This travesty will never be remembered. #SwedenIncident
— Cameron Stell (@cameron_stell) February 19, 2017

Frederick Douglass tasked w/ investigating Sweden Massacre #LastNightInSweden #IStandWithSweden pic.twitter.com/nzAk9ieMdY
— Melvinder Singh (@MelvinderSingh1) February 19, 2017

There had to be some comments about Ikea of course.

After the terrible events #lastnightinSweden , IKEA have sold out of this: pic.twitter.com/Bs1XI7ffKG
— Jeanna Skinner (@JeannaLStars) February 19, 2017

And, inevitably, Stockholm syndrome raised its frightening head.

The more Swedes hear about Trump the more they dislike him. It's like reverse Stockholm syndrome. #lastnightinsweden
— Paul Lander (@paul_lander) February 19, 2017

America, if you start to identify with your captor-President, please call. We can help. #LastNightInSweden #StockholmSyndrome
— Last Night In Sweden (@LastNiteNSweden) February 19, 2017

Anyone catch this excellent movie? Just released!!! #lastnightinsweden pic.twitter.com/IS4uE0VKld
— Valérie Kindarji (@ValerieKindarji) February 20, 2017

Donald Trump sweden terrorism Twitter us-politics

From Our Partner

This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.

What's Hot

Related

From Our Partner