President Donald J. Trump launched a scathing assault on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) via a fiery Truth Social post, portraying her native Somalia as a failed state and intensifying his long-standing feud with the progressive “Squad” member. The remarks, posted Thursday evening, have fueled a political firestorm as GOP efforts to censure or expel her from Congress gain momentum.
Trump’s post highlighted Somalia’s struggles, describing a nation plagued by a lack of central government control, persistent poverty, hunger, resurgent terrorism, piracy, decades of civil war, corruption, and pervasive violence. He noted that 70% of the population lives in extreme poverty with widespread food insecurity, and ranks among the world’s most corrupt countries due to bribery, embezzlement, and a dysfunctional government. He then criticized Omar, stating, “All of this, and Ilhan Omar tells us how to run America! What SCUM we have in our Country, telling us what to do, and how to do it.”
The depiction aligns with recent data, showing 75.9% of Somalia’s population (around 10.4 million) in extreme poverty, 23% facing crisis-level hunger amid drought and conflict, and a 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranking of 179 out of 180. Ongoing civil war and terrorism from groups like Al-Shabaab further underscore the instability.
The post follows a failed House censure attempt by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) over Omar’s remarks on the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trump, speaking from Air Force One, doubled down: “She’s TERRIBLE… from Somalia, right? These people come from countries with nothing, then tell us how to run OUR country. She should be IMPEACHED—EXPULSED FAST!” House GOP sources suggest expulsion talks are heating up, though a slim majority complicates passage without Democratic support.
As midterms loom, the clash reflects deepening national divisions. Trump’s supporters view it as a stand for accountability, meanwhile, Somalia’s challenges persist, overshadowed by the political drama in Washington.h