WASHINGTON, D.C. January 4, 2026 – President Donald Trump has once again targeted Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and the Somali-American community, calling for the deportation of the congresswoman and describing Somali immigrants as “pirates” who are “stealing money from the American taxpayer.”
In a video clip circulating widely on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Trump states: “Somalia. Somalian pilots, pirates but what they are doing is stealing money from the American taxpayer and every one of them should be forced to leave this country including Ilhan Omar who’s a total crook and she’s one of the leaders of it.”
The clip, shared by conservative commentator Collin Rugg with the caption “JUST IN,” features edited visuals alternating between images of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Omar, overlaid with Trump’s audio and text captions of his remarks. Trump continues in the video, alleging that at least $19 billion has been stolen from Minnesota and the United States, adding: “We’re going to have Walz go pay… We’re not going to pay it anymore.”
The statements appear to reference ongoing federal investigations into fraud schemes involving childcare and feeding programs in Minnesota, where prosecutors have charged individuals in connection with diverting millions in public funds. Trump has previously linked these cases to the state’s large Somali community, though official charges have involved defendants from various backgrounds.
Trump’s rhetoric echoes his repeated attacks on Omar, a naturalized U.S. citizen and one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, dating back to his first term. In recent months, the administration has frozen federal childcare funding to Minnesota, terminated Temporary Protected Status for some Somali residents, and implemented broader immigration restrictions affecting Somalia.
Rep. Omar has previously dismissed similar comments from Trump as “xenophobic” and divisive, emphasizing her status as an American citizen and the contributions of her constituents.
The viral post has garnered significant engagement on X, with thousands of likes and reposts, highlighting ongoing partisan divisions over immigration policy and fraud allegations in the new Trump administration. White House officials have not immediately responded to requests for comment on the latest clip.
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