Somalis Across the Globe Rebut Trump's Vicious Attack on Their Community with Resilience and Wit
President Donald Trump recently sparked widespread outrage and creative mockery from Somalis and Somali Americans after he called their community "garbage" in a venomous attack at his final cabinet meeting. The remarks, which targeted the large Somali diaspora in Minnesota and Ilhan Omar, a Congress member who represents the area, have been widely condemned by community leaders, Democratic lawmakers, and civil rights organizations.
In Minneapolis, where approximately 84,000 people of Somali descent live, the impact of Trump's words was felt acutely. Business owners like Khadijo Warsame reported feeling fear and emptiness as people stayed away from their establishments in response to the president's comments. "It is deserted," Warsame said. "Every business is closed, and it has been like this for the last three days." Somali Americans have come together to mock Trump's rhetoric on social media platforms, including TikTok and X, with creative parodies that showcase their resilience and pride in their community.
"This recent attack is straight out of the racist playbook," said Faisal Roble, a Somali American and former principal planner for Los Angeles. "It is election season, and his MAGA base, which he's appealing to, responds to this type of messaging." Many Somalis are Black and Muslim – "two identities some Americans remain uncomfortable with" – and Trump's attacks on Ilhan Omar have been seen as another effort to weaken the left's presence in Congress.
Critics argue that Trump's comments on Omar reflect his frustration with her ability to criticize him effectively. In a recent New York Times opinion column, Omar wrote about the real consequences of Trump's attacks, including the increase in death threats she and her family receive. But she maintained her commitment to speaking out and credited voter support.
Trump's remarks have also triggered backlash across the world, in Somalia. Residents there have expressed anger and called upon their government to respond to the US president's insults. "This is intolerable," said Mogadishu resident Abdisalan Ahmed. "Our leaders should address his remarks." Despite this, Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Barre urged calm, noting that Trump had insulted many countries, including Nigeria and South Africa.
The Somali government's response to Trump's comments remains diplomatic for now, but critics warn that ignoring the issue could have foreign policy consequences. Meanwhile, Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi has taken a more aggressive approach, pushing back against Trump's attacks with force. "If our daughter is being targeted because of her identity, we stand firmly by her side," he said.
As the US prepares for midterm elections in November 2026, many are watching to see how Trump's rhetoric on Somalis will affect his base of support – particularly among the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. "Somalis are just the latest casualty," Roble warned, though he noted that the damage may ultimately be felt in "the US government system and its relationship with its citizens."
President Donald Trump recently sparked widespread outrage and creative mockery from Somalis and Somali Americans after he called their community "garbage" in a venomous attack at his final cabinet meeting. The remarks, which targeted the large Somali diaspora in Minnesota and Ilhan Omar, a Congress member who represents the area, have been widely condemned by community leaders, Democratic lawmakers, and civil rights organizations.
In Minneapolis, where approximately 84,000 people of Somali descent live, the impact of Trump's words was felt acutely. Business owners like Khadijo Warsame reported feeling fear and emptiness as people stayed away from their establishments in response to the president's comments. "It is deserted," Warsame said. "Every business is closed, and it has been like this for the last three days." Somali Americans have come together to mock Trump's rhetoric on social media platforms, including TikTok and X, with creative parodies that showcase their resilience and pride in their community.
"This recent attack is straight out of the racist playbook," said Faisal Roble, a Somali American and former principal planner for Los Angeles. "It is election season, and his MAGA base, which he's appealing to, responds to this type of messaging." Many Somalis are Black and Muslim – "two identities some Americans remain uncomfortable with" – and Trump's attacks on Ilhan Omar have been seen as another effort to weaken the left's presence in Congress.
Critics argue that Trump's comments on Omar reflect his frustration with her ability to criticize him effectively. In a recent New York Times opinion column, Omar wrote about the real consequences of Trump's attacks, including the increase in death threats she and her family receive. But she maintained her commitment to speaking out and credited voter support.
Trump's remarks have also triggered backlash across the world, in Somalia. Residents there have expressed anger and called upon their government to respond to the US president's insults. "This is intolerable," said Mogadishu resident Abdisalan Ahmed. "Our leaders should address his remarks." Despite this, Somalia's Prime Minister Hamza Barre urged calm, noting that Trump had insulted many countries, including Nigeria and South Africa.
The Somali government's response to Trump's comments remains diplomatic for now, but critics warn that ignoring the issue could have foreign policy consequences. Meanwhile, Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi has taken a more aggressive approach, pushing back against Trump's attacks with force. "If our daughter is being targeted because of her identity, we stand firmly by her side," he said.
As the US prepares for midterm elections in November 2026, many are watching to see how Trump's rhetoric on Somalis will affect his base of support – particularly among the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. "Somalis are just the latest casualty," Roble warned, though he noted that the damage may ultimately be felt in "the US government system and its relationship with its citizens."
Distracted GIF of a cat with a straight face 
Trump thinks he's got game but Somali Americans just trolling him 
[image: Trump looking confused and awkward with a red "X" marked through it] 
like what even is this 
some ppl dont understand the power of words and how they can hurt ppl on a deep level 
i mean ilhan omar is just tryin to do her job and speak out against trumps crap, but he keeps attacking her and it's not cool 
its dope to see ppl comin together like that and creatin funny vids on tiktok to clap back at trump 
but seriously tho, we gotta talk about how this kinda rhetoric affects ppl of color and immigrants 
it's not just somalis, there are many other communities bein targeted by trump's words and its time for us to stand up against it 
she's a strong woman and we need more ppl like her in congress 
The impact on Somali Americans in Minneapolis is already being felt, and it's heartbreaking to see business owners feeling fear and emptiness because of his words.
It's a delicate balance, but I think it's one that's essential if we want to create a more inclusive and compassionate society.
We need to call it out when we see it, even if it's coming from someone in power. 
Only time will tell, but I'm keeping a close eye on this one. 
i mean come on, who does he think he is? targeting ilhan omar like that over the economy or whatever trump's gotta get his fix of hate somewhere and honestly it's not like anyone's buying it 
they're taking back their narrative on tiktok and x, making fun of him in the most creative ways 
can we please just focus on unity & understanding instead of dividing ppl by their skin color or background? 
and i gotta give it to ilhan omar she's still standing up 4 herself despite all the hate & death threats 
but trump's got some nerve thinkin somalis are "garbage" meanwhile ppl in minnesota r feelin the hurt & fear after his comments 
what's next is trump gonna diss other communities too? 
... always causing drama wherever he goes. He's got some serious issues to work out, like why he can't just keep his mouth shut sometimes 
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. It's actually kind of refreshing to see her respond to all this with class and dignity 
. We need leaders who can bring us together, not drive us further apart 
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. And Trump's comments are just ridiculous, like what even is that? "Garbage"?! Come on man! 
Can't wait to see what else they come up with. And yeah, it's no wonder Trump is frustrated with Ilhan - she's a force to be reckoned with 
? That's just disgusting. And what's next, is he gonna diss the Irish or something? 
. And you know what the craziest part is? The dude thinks he's appealin' to his base with this stuff, but really he's just losin' support from everywhere else 
. It's not cool to use racism as a way to divide people. We should be focusing on unity and understanding, not tearing each other down