Trump:"You go to Brussels -- I was in Brussels a long time ago, 20 years ago, so beautiful, everything is so beautiful -- it's like living in a hellhole right now," he added. While it's true that parts of Belgium have been a hotbed for terrorism recruiting, Brussels is a major European city that is home to NATO and it's the capital of the European Union. It's also a popular tourist destination, known for its architecture, chocolate and waffles, among other things.
Trump's comment about the city inspired quite a backlash on social media, with Brussels denizens using the hashtag #hellhole, to defend their city. A Brussels alderman, Geoffroy Coomans, called him a buffoon on Twitter, and said he'd campaign against him.
Many posted picture-perfect scenes of the city, showing it to be anything but a #hellhole.
Greetings from the #hellhole @realDonaldTrump and please #callbrussels if you're so curious. pic.twitter.com/hmHRFbszKB
— Chiara Bellani (@ChiaraBell89) January 28, 2016
And there were other responses, too.
Proud of our #hellhole We forgive your ignorance&invite @realDonaldTrump to see Brussels is beyond your imagination pic.twitter.com/kAv4ZK9jJo
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-calls-brussels-a-hellhole/
I was in Brussels 35 years ago. It wasn’t a hellhole then, just a gray, sad city.