Commentary
When U.S. President Donald Trump, in a Politico interview in December of last year, cited Sweden as a warning sign of European self-delusion, the Nordic country—long associated with progressive ideals and social harmony—found itself back in the crosshairs of American MAGA conservatism. “Sweden was known as the safest country in Europe, one of the safest countries in the world. Now it’s known as a very unsafe—well, pretty unsafe country,” Trump declared. By blaming unchecked immigration, which he claims has made Europe “weak” and “decaying,” his words struck a nerve in a country grappling with serious security concerns.
