The Independent reports:
The US president claimed refugees and migrants has “strongly and violently” changed European culture and said the continent had made a “big mistake” in giving sanctuary to those fleeing conflicts in the Middle East and Africa.
Without specifically naming the Germany chancellor but instead pointing the blame at Germany’s “leadership” he said: “The people of Germany are turning against their leadership as migration is rocking the already tenuous Berlin coalition.
Mr Trump is wrong to say that crime in Germany has increased; the latest figures released last month show it has now reached a 30-year low. Ms Merkel is embroiled in a domestic political row with her conservative allies over how to handle new refugee arrivals, with one of her most senior ministers calling for a more restrictive policy.
The people of Germany are turning against their leadership as migration is rocking the already tenuous Berlin coalition. Crime in Germany is way up. Big mistake made all over Europe in allowing millions of people in who have so strongly and violently changed their culture!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2018
We don’t want what is happening with immigration in Europe to happen with us!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2018
1. Crime in Germany hit a 30-year low in March
2. Merkel remains the most popular politician in Germany
3. AfD flat on pre-election polling; pro-immigration Greens up
4. Trump-lite strategy has seen CSU fall in polls
5. 2/3 Germans consider it “pure electioneering”
Otherwise: ? https://t.co/D1MEsKyLMC— Jeremy Cliffe (@JeremyCliffe) June 18, 2018
Crime in Germany is actually down but claiming the opposite is a staple of Germany’s emerging far right. “Tenuous” means Trump probably didn’t write this but whoever did is parroting almost literal Nazi talking points. https://t.co/nKokWPHKmh
— David Klion ? (@DavidKlion) June 18, 2018
Trump ratchets up anti-immigrant remarks, points to Germany as example of how culture has been 'violently changed.' Claims, 'Crime in Germany is way up.' In fact, Germany's crime rate fell 5% last year to lowest level since 1992, despite the influx of 1M+ migrants since 2015.
— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) June 18, 2018