A$AP Rocky’s arrest has become a presidential matter.
On Saturday (July 20), President Trump said he spoke with Sweden’s prime minister, Stefan Löfven, about the rapper’s case and “offered to personally vouch for his bail.” Löfven assured him that Rocky would be “treated fairly,” while Trump assured him that he’s not a flight risk.
“Just had a very good call with @SwedishPM Stefan Löfven who assured me that American citizen A$AP Rocky will be treated fairly,” tweeted Trump. “Likewise, I assured him that A$AP was not a flight risk and offered to personally vouch for his bail, or an alternative….”
They plan to speak again in the next two days. “Our teams will be talking further, and we agreed to speak again in the next 48 hours!” he added.
Just had a very good call with @SwedishPM Stefan Löfven who assured me that American citizen A$AP Rocky will be treated fairly. Likewise, I assured him that A$AP was not a flight risk and offered to personally vouch for his bail, or an alternative....
After being urged by Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, as well as First Lady Melania Trump, Trump decided to intervene to help free Rocky. “So many people would like to see this quickly resolved!” he tweeted.
Just spoke to @KanyeWest about his friend A$AP Rocky’s incarceration. I will be calling the very talented Prime Minister of Sweden to see what we can do about helping A$AP Rocky. So many people would like to see this quickly resolved!
The 30-year-old rapper has been in Swedish custody since July 5 over his alleged involvement in a street brawl. He is accused of assaulting a man in Stockholm while he was in town for a tour, despite being provoked after two men harassed and followed him.
Earlier Saturday, the Swedish prime minister issued a statement saying he would be glad to speak with Trump about Rocky’s detention, but that he “cannot and will not attempt to influence prosecutors or courts.”
“I understand that President Trump has a personal interest in the case….He has expressed the desire for a conversation with me, which is certainly positive,” said Löfven. “I will explain that the Swedish judicial system is independent. In Sweden, everyone is equal before the law, and this includes visitors from other countries.”
Rocky has received widespread support from friends including Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Diddy, and G-Eazy, who was arrested in Sweden for assault, possession of drugs, and use of narcotics in May 2018. Prosecutors allowed him to strike a deal a day-and-a-half later, pleading guilty to violent resistance, a crime of violence against an official, and illegal drug possession. He received a $10,000 fine and probation. Taking to social media, G-Eazy acknowledged his white privilege. “This is the sad truth,” he tweeted. “The difference between me and Rocky’s treatment in Sweden brings to mind two concepts that disgustingly go hand in hand: white privilege and systemic racism. Let’s call it what it is. He should not be behind bars right now. My heart goes out to @asvpxrocky.”
This is the sad truth...The difference between me and Rocky’s treatment in Sweden brings to mind two concepts that disgustingly go hand in hand: white privilege and systemic racism. Let's call it what it is. He should not be behind bars right now. My heart goes out to @asvpxrocky
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