Donald Trump has told a major Florida rally about a terror-related incident that happened “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,” said Trump, before going on to reference major attacks in Brussels, Nice and Paris.
Sweden? Last night? Who would believe this?
Swedish media outlet Aftonbladet has given an account of the day’s reporting, including an incident of a man setting himself on fire, although intelligence services are not investigating. Otherwise, there was a fatal workplace accident, a drunk-driver and an avalanche warning due to harsh weather.
But no terror attack.
Former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt asked, “What has he been smoking?”, while linking to an article about Trump’s comments on Twitter
Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound. https://t.co/XWgw8Fz7tj
— Carl Bildt (@carlbildt) February 19, 2017
It appears to be the third false terror attack that members of the Trump administration have alleged since taking office last month.
Others gave their ideas for what the US President may have been referring to…
After the terrible events #lastnightinSweden , IKEA have sold out of this: pic.twitter.com/Bs1XI7ffKG
— Jeanna Louise Skinner is UPDATES ONLY (@JeannaLStars) February 19, 2017
Scenes of appalling despair #LastNightInSweden pic.twitter.com/qpKPPtJdd0
— @JulianRWPower.bsky.social 🇵🇸🇺🇦 (@JulianPowerVO) February 19, 2017
Never forget... #lastnightinsweden pic.twitter.com/ClDpeuCi9H
— Erik Flachmeyer (@itaptweet) February 19, 2017
According to #WhiteHouseIntelligence four were arrested #lastnightinsweden after yuge fashion massacre a few years ago. pic.twitter.com/Ehcwt86uWp
— Marcelo Diaz (@marce_162) February 19, 2017
Vultures gathering to eat in a chaotic down town Stockholm the morning after the horrors of #lastnightinsweden #fakenews @visitstockholm pic.twitter.com/7BNCchQ9TF
— Per Larsson (@essingeper) February 19, 2017
It’s been speculated that Trump’s comments may have been an unclear reference to a Fox News segment which alleged an increase in crime rates attributed to refugees.
turns out "what happened last night in Sweden" actually just means "last night I was watching Tucker Carlson talk about Sweden" pic.twitter.com/6z5pfOJ7Yv
— Ashley Feinberg (ashleyfeinberg.bsky.social) (@ashleyfeinberg) February 19, 2017
These allegations are disputed according to 2016 crime figures released in Swedish media reports.