U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply escalated his attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar and Minnesota’s Somali community, using an ongoing fraud investigation to launch some of his most incendiary rhetoric yet.
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump accused Somali immigrants of being responsible for “up to 90%” of alleged social services fraud in Minnesota — a claim made without evidence — and labeled Omar, a Minnesota Democrat and the first Somali American elected to Congress, “one of the many scammers.” Omar has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
“Lowlifes like this can only be a liability to our Country’s greatness,” Trump wrote, calling for Somali immigrants to be sent back to Somalia. His remarks echoed earlier Oval Office comments and campaign speeches in which he accused Somalis of “destroying Minnesota” and revived language he has previously used to describe African and Muslim-majority countries.
The attacks come amid heightened attention on Minnesota fraud cases, including the $250 million “Feeding Our Future” scheme uncovered in 2022. Federal prosecutors have said that case was led by Aimee Bock, who is white, undercutting Trump’s sweeping claims that Somali immigrants are primarily responsible. Still, conservative media and right-wing influencers have amplified new, unproven allegations, prompting federal agencies to increase scrutiny.
This week, Health and Human Services froze federal child care payments to Minnesota, while FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed additional investigative resources were sent to the state. The House Oversight Committee is also preparing hearings on misuse of federal funds.
The White House has signaled it may pursue denaturalization in cases involving proven fraud, though U.S. law sets a high bar and requires court proceedings. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz accused Trump of politicizing the issue to justify defunding social programs, while Omar called the president’s comments “bigoted lies” and “a national embarrassment.”
As investigations continue, Trump’s rhetoric has fused immigration, fraud and race into a single political weapon — one that is inflaming tensions far beyond Minnesota and placing Somali Americans squarely in the crosshairs of a national political fight.
