Trump is now slamming Sweden's prime minister for not meddling in the A$AP Rocky case
After a Swedish prosecutor charged American rapper A$AP Rocky with assault on Thursday, President Trump waited a few hours before slamming Sweden and its prime minister on Twitter. Lots of celebrities are pushing for A$AP Rocky's release, but Trump seemed most upset that Sweden insists on maintaining an independent judiciary.
"Very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Löfven for being unable to act," Trump tweeted Thursday evening. "Sweden has let our African American Community down in the United States. I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being followed and harassed by troublemakers. Treat Americans fairly!" The president added in a second tweet: "Give A$AP Rocky his FREEDOM. We do so much for Sweden but it doesn't seem to work the other way around."
The Stockholm prosecutor, Daniel Suneson, explained when charging A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, that he had "studied the videos made available to the inquiry" and emphasized that "I have had access to a greater amount of material than that which has previously been available on the internet."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
After Trump called Lofven on Saturday to push for his intervention in the case, Lofven's press secretary described the conversation as "friendly and respectful" but said the prime minister "made certain to emphasize the complete independence of the Swedish judicial system, prosecutors, and courts," and said the government would not and could not attempt to steer the case. On Friday, responding to Trump's tweets, another Lofven spokesman, Mikael Lindstrom, reiterated: "The government is not allowed, and will not attempt, to influence the legal proceedings, which are now ongoing."
A$AP Rocky's trial will take place between July 30 and Aug. 2.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - December 21, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - losing it, pedal to the metal, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Three fun, festive activities to make the magic happen this Christmas Day
Inspire your children to help set the table, stage a pantomime and write thank-you letters this Christmas!
By The Week Junior Published
-
The best books of 2024 to give this Christmas
The Week Recommends From Percival Everett to Rachel Clarke these are the critics' favourite books from 2024
By The Week UK Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published