Donald Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway has defended the US ban on refugees by referring to a fictitious 'Bowling Green Massacre'.
The comments came during an interview with Chris Matthews on MSNBC’s Hardball show.
Speaking about the controversial travel ban, Ms Conway explained: “I bet it’s brand new information to people that 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.
"Most people don't know that because it didn't get covered," she added.
Ms Conway - already infamous for her recent reference to 'alternative facts' - was referring to the US' temporary pause on Iraqi refugee processing in 2011 following the arrest of two Iraqi citizens who had attempted to send weapons and money to Al-Qaeda in Iraq.
The two men - who are now serving life sentences in the US for terrorism charges - did live in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
However, as prosecutors noted, neither man was charged with plotting attacks within the United States.
They were instead sentenced after admitting to "extensive terrorist activities against US soldiers in Iraq".
The reference to the non-existent 'Bowling Green Massacre' drew widespread ridicule on social networks:
Finding these Bowling Green Massacre jokes to be a little too soon. Out of respect, we should wait until it takes place.
— Justin Shanes (@justinshanes) February 3, 2017
For every RT this tweet gets I will personally donate one imaginary dollar to the victims of the Bowling Green Massacre.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) February 3, 2017
if you'd like to donate to the fund for the victims of the bowling green massacre please PayPal me directly
— Max Read (@max_read) February 3, 2017
