President Trump on Sunday sought to clear up a comment he made at a campaign rally about problems in Sweden, saying he was referring to immigration concerns.
“My statement as to what’s happening in Sweden was in reference to a story that was broadcast on @FoxNews concerning immigrants & Sweden,” Mr. Trump said on Twitter.
At a rally Saturday in Florida, Mr. Trump was talking about terrorist attacks and concerns about migration in Europe from Middle Eastern countries when he mentioned the Scandinavian country.
“You look at what’s happening in Germany, you look at what’s happening last night in Sweden … Sweden. Who would believe this?” Mr. Trump told the crowd. “Sweden … They took in large numbers. They’re having problems like they never thought possible.”
The Fox News “Tucker Carlson Tonight” show aired a report Friday night about documentary maker Ami Horowitz and his film about immigration and Sweden. The documentary asserted that Sweden’s generous immigration policy was linked to a rise in crime, and that the Swedish government has tried to cover it up.
“Sweden had its first terrorist Islamic attack not that long ago, so they’re now getting a taste of what we’ve been seeing across Europe already,” Mr. Horowitz told Mr. Carlson, apparently referring to a suicide bomber attack in 2010 in Stockholm.
White House deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters Sunday that Mr. Trump was referring to “rising crime and recent incidents in general” in Sweden.
The president’s comments provoked strong reactions in Sweden, including one from a former prime minister, who asked on Twitter, “What is he smoking?”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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