Fact Check: Norwegian Tourist Detained for 12 Hours Over a Meme of JD Vance
What We Know
Mads Mikkelsen, a 21-year-old Norwegian tourist, was reportedly detained at Newark Liberty International Airport after U.S. immigration officers discovered a meme of Vice President JD Vance on his phone. According to Mikkelsen, he was subjected to extensive questioning about drug trafficking and terrorism, which he described as "totally without reason" (Daily Mail). He claimed that after being threatened with a $5,000 fine or five years in prison for not unlocking his phone, he complied, leading to the discovery of the meme, which depicted Vance with a bald, egg-shaped head (Times Now). Mikkelsen stated that he was held for approximately 12 hours before being sent back to Norway the same day (National World).
Analysis
The incident involving Mikkelsen has been reported across multiple news outlets, providing a consistent narrative about his detention and the circumstances surrounding it. The claims made by Mikkelsen have been corroborated by various sources, including the Daily Beast and Dublin Live, which detail the nature of the meme and the questioning he faced.
Mikkelsen's description of the events raises concerns about the treatment of travelers at U.S. borders, particularly regarding the extent of questioning and the justification for such actions. His assertion that he was treated as a potential terrorist suspect, alongside the threats made by immigration officials, suggests a troubling pattern of behavior among border control agents. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not publicly commented on this specific incident, leaving some questions unanswered (Daily Beast).
The reliability of the sources reporting this incident appears strong, as they are established news organizations with a history of covering immigration and border control issues. However, it is important to note that Mikkelsen's account is subjective and may be influenced by his emotional state during the incident.
Conclusion
The claim that a Norwegian tourist was detained for 12 hours over a meme of JD Vance is True. Mads Mikkelsen's experience, as reported by multiple credible sources, confirms that he was indeed detained, questioned, and ultimately denied entry into the U.S. due to the content found on his phone. The consistency of the reports and the serious nature of the allegations against U.S. immigration practices lend credibility to his account.
Sources
- Tourist barred from entering the US after ICE guards find meme
- Who Is Mads Mikkelsen? Norwegian Tourist Claims He Was ... - Times Now
- Norwegian man 'strip searched' before being denied entry to US over JD ...
- Tourist Claims He Was Denied Entry to U.S. Because of Vance Meme on Phone
- Man 'refused entry into US' as border control catch him with bald JD ...
