In a preview given by Rolling Stone of ASAP Rocky’s documentary Stockholm Syndrome, the Harlem rapper apparently addressed Donald Trump’s efforts to get him out of Swedish prison, claiming that Trump’s attempts had the opposite effect of assisting.
Rocky talks about discovering his surprise supporter, according to a Rolling Stone preview of the documentary, which aired during the Tribeca Film Festival this weekend. “I’m in the middle of a dream. My name was called. They said my name again, and I kind of opened and closed my eyes again. And I was like, ‘Yo, what the f*ck?’ when I opened my eyes. At the time, Trump inserted himself in what was later proven to be a PR stunt to improve his image among Black voters, persuading Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven to intercede on Rocky’s behalf after the rapper was arrested and charged with assault after a fight on the streets of Stockholm.
“I said ‘Aw shit,” Rocky jokes. “Look like I might do a bid.”
Rocky elaborates on his feelings regarding the situation, saying, “I was kinda concerned that Trump was going to f*ck it up.” On the other hand, I’m just like, ‘That’s what’s up, man,’ You want the most help you can get, and it’s like, ‘Oh, the president is on your side.’ That was satisfying. Because, for the most part, I don’t believe he is aware of what is going on in metropolitan areas… I can’t say I wasn’t grateful for it. I was also concerned that it would put me in danger of spending more time in [jail].”
Rolling Stone reports that toward the end of the film, Rocky addresses the Trump administration’s insistence that he never “properly” thanked the man for his efforts. ““It was a chess move and they tried to strong-arm a lot,” he says. “In reality, I had no problem saying thank you to the man, especially if he helped me. That’s the narrative they pushin’: That he got me out. And he didn’t free me. If anything, he made it a little worse.“
