Donald Trump's latest blunder
Donald Trump's reference to "what's happening last night in Sweden" during a rally in Florida on Saturday raised eyebrows around the world. Nobody seemed to have any idea what Trump was talking about. Media outlets from all over Scandinavia quickly reported that no terror attacks had taken place, and liberal media in the U.S. tripped over themselves in a race to see who could cry "fake news" first.
Trump later clarified his cryptic remarks, claiming that he was talking not about a Terror Attack, but the surge in crime resulting from Sweden's taking in of Syrian refugees, based on a Fox News interview with Ami Horowitz from the night before.
On Friday night Tucker Carlson had interviewed the filmmaker, who believes that Sweden's lax policy on asylum-seekers has turned Sweden into the "rape capital of the world."
While many journalists find Horowitz's claims questionable, one thing that just about everyone can agree on is that Trump's latest gaffe ignited a comedic firestorm on Twitter. Naturally, it didn't take long for users to deluge social media with quips and memes poking fun at every popular Swedish stereotype, from blonde bikini models to cherry-flavored gummy confections to those needlessly complicated IKEA furniture assembly instructions.
Some Swedes vowed that they will rebuild -- with the help of a hex wrench, of course.
@SMShow @frangeladuo Sweden will be okay! #swedenattack #trumpsweden #SwedenStrong pic.twitter.com/UNe4HjkjNG
— Les Schroeder (@MajSchroeder) February 19, 2017
Shocking scene caught on film!
Others posted "actual footage" of the attack:
Shocking video of last night in Sweden!#swedenincident #lastnightinsweden #swedenattack #trump #LiarInChief #fakenews #resist #resistance pic.twitter.com/ENPyktiskU
— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) February 19, 2017
And, of course, many users made it a point to pay their respects to the victims of the Swedish massacre.
New images coming out of Sweden confirm Friday night massacre. I stand with Sweden. #swedenattack pic.twitter.com/w9yHlD6DFj
— SJPaul (@JeakPaul) February 20, 2017
IKEA has got to be loving the free publicity
Others claimed to have uncovered the top-secret plans which the terrorists used to carry out their dastardly deeds of destruction.
Thank God someone discovered the Secret Plans for the #SwedenIncident #SwedenAttack that #AgentOrange warned us about! pic.twitter.com/iHZqGNNCtY
— Dale Shaver (@DaleRShaver) February 19, 2017
Of course, there were many comments from pro-Trump and anti-Trump Twitter users who wanted to engage in serious debate over Sweden's policy toward Syrian refugees. But there will be plenty of time for that in the days and weeks ahead. Until then, all of us -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- should take a moment to come together and embrace the humor resulting from what transpired "last night in Sweden."
