A$AP Rocky was arrested in Sweden three weeks ago after an altercation that Swedish authorities say they suspect was an assault. | Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Photos legal President Trump calls for A$AP Rocky's release from Swedish custody

President Donald Trump said Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump plan to negotiate for rapper A$AP Rocky to be released from Swedish custody, adding that the artist has “tremendous support from the African American community in this country.”

The president’s comments come in response to Swedish prosecutors’ decision to keep the rapper, born Rakim Mayers, in custody for another week “because of the flight risk.”


A$AP Rocky and two friends were arrested in Sweden three weeks ago after an altercation that Swedish authorities say they suspect was an assault. Since his arrest, top State Department officials have been monitoring the situation and making sure the rapper is being treated fairly while in foreign custody.

Parties in the U.S. ranging from the Congressional Black Caucus to Kim Kardashian West have become involved in the case, rallying behind A$AP Rocky and asking for further intervention from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Rapper Kanye West also joined the call for the rapper's release according to a tweet from Trump, posted Friday afternoon.

"Just spoke to @KanyeWest about his friend A$AP Rocky’s incarceration," Trump tweeted. "I will be calling the very talented Prime Minister of Sweden to see what we can do about helping A$AP Rocky. So many people would like to see this quickly resolved!"

During a news conference Wednesday, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), who represents A$AP Rocky’s home congressional district, said Pompeo’s efforts to free the rapper are “not enough.”

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“It is unconscionable that these young men that are doing well, they are on the right track in life, they’re very successful, they’re icons in the hip-hop community, are treated under these inhumane conditions,” he said.

Trump said he hopes to use his positive relationship with Sweden to bring A$AP Rocky back to the United States while he awaits trial, adding in his earlier tweet that he plans to contact the Swedish prime minister directly.

“[Sweden is] a great country. They’re friends of mine,” Trump said. “We’re going to be calling them. We’ll talk to them. We already started.”

The president lauded the first lady for becoming involved, saying she brought the situation to his attention.

“I’ve been working with the State Department,” Melania Trump said. “We want to get him home soon.”