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Bowling Green massacre: Trump aide cites non-existent attack | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A top aide to US President Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway, has cited a "massacre" which never happened while defending the president's controversial immigration ban. | A top aide to US President Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway, has cited a "massacre" which never happened while defending the president's controversial immigration ban. |
Ms Conway said Mr Obama brought in a six-month ban on Iraqis after the arrest of "the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre". | |
"Most people don't know that because it didn't get covered," she added. | "Most people don't know that because it didn't get covered," she added. |
In fact, there was no massacre at Bowling Green, Kentucky. | In fact, there was no massacre at Bowling Green, Kentucky. |
Ms Conway, whose official role is counsellor to the president, later tweeted that she meant to say "Bowling Green terrorists". | Ms Conway, whose official role is counsellor to the president, later tweeted that she meant to say "Bowling Green terrorists". |
She made her remarks during an interview with MSNBC television, in which she defended Donald Trump's ban on immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries. | She made her remarks during an interview with MSNBC television, in which she defended Donald Trump's ban on immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries. |
"President Obama had a six-month ban on the Iraqi refugee programme after two Iraqis came here to this country were radicalised, and they were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre," she said. | "President Obama had a six-month ban on the Iraqi refugee programme after two Iraqis came here to this country were radicalised, and they were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre," she said. |
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In 2011, Barack Obama's administration brought in enhanced security measures for Iraqis after two men were arrested on terror charges - but there was never a formal ban in place. | In 2011, Barack Obama's administration brought in enhanced security measures for Iraqis after two men were arrested on terror charges - but there was never a formal ban in place. |
It came after Iraqi natives Waad Ramadan Alwan and Mohanad Shareef Hammadi were arrested on charges of attempting to send weapons and money to Iraq to support al-Qaeda there. They also admitted using homemade bombs against US troops when they lived in Iraq. | It came after Iraqi natives Waad Ramadan Alwan and Mohanad Shareef Hammadi were arrested on charges of attempting to send weapons and money to Iraq to support al-Qaeda there. They also admitted using homemade bombs against US troops when they lived in Iraq. |
The pair lived in Bowling Green, Kentucky - but were never accused of planning or attempting to carry out an attack in the US. Both are still in prison. | The pair lived in Bowling Green, Kentucky - but were never accused of planning or attempting to carry out an attack in the US. Both are still in prison. |
"Bowling Green Massacre" began to trend on Twitter following the interview, as users ridiculed Ms Conway's error in tributes to the fictional people who lost their lives in a massacre which did not happen. | "Bowling Green Massacre" began to trend on Twitter following the interview, as users ridiculed Ms Conway's error in tributes to the fictional people who lost their lives in a massacre which did not happen. |
She also recently made headlines for coining the term "alternative facts" when defending President Trump's White House. | She also recently made headlines for coining the term "alternative facts" when defending President Trump's White House. |
In his first briefing, incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer gave attendance figures on Mr Trump's inauguration which contradicted photographic evidence - and were quickly denounced in many US news outlets as "falsehoods" and "lies". Ms Conway later said Mr Spicer had been presenting "alternative facts". | In his first briefing, incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer gave attendance figures on Mr Trump's inauguration which contradicted photographic evidence - and were quickly denounced in many US news outlets as "falsehoods" and "lies". Ms Conway later said Mr Spicer had been presenting "alternative facts". |
The phrase quickly became the subject of ridicule online. | The phrase quickly became the subject of ridicule online. |