It’s not every day that a year-old speech ricochets across the internet and reignites a political firestorm, but that’s exactly what happened this week when billionaire Elon Musk thrust Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar back into the national spotlight. On December 10, 2025, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter), sharing a resurfaced video of Omar’s January 2024 remarks—comments that, according to Musk, “sound like treason.” The post quickly set off a new round of outrage, debate, and accusations, dragging in voices from across the political spectrum and putting the intersection of identity, immigration, and American loyalty under a harsh glare.
The controversy centers on a video clip from January 27, 2024, when Rep. Omar addressed constituents in Minnesota. In the clip, translated from Somali, Omar asserts, “The US government will only do what Somalians in the US tell them to do. They will do what we want and nothing else. They must follow our orders and that is how we will safeguard the interests of Somalia … As long as I am in the US Congress, Somalia will never be in danger, its waters will not be stolen by Ethiopia or others. The US would not dare to support anyone against Somalia to steal our land or oceans. Sleep in comfort, knowing I am here to protect the interests of Somalia from inside the US system.” According to The Post, these words, intended as reassurance to her Somali-American audience, have been seized upon by critics as evidence of divided loyalties.
Elon Musk’s repost of the video was no isolated incident. Just hours before, former President Donald Trump had delivered a characteristically blunt critique of Omar during a campaign rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. “I love this Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is, with the little turban,” Trump told the crowd, adding, “She comes in, does nothing but b—h. She’s always complaining. She comes from her country, where I mean, it’s considered about the worst country in the world, right?” Trump’s remarks, punctuated by chants of “Send her back” from the audience, drew immediate backlash for their xenophobic overtones.
Omar, never one to shy away from confrontation, hit back on X the following evening. “Trump’s obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help. Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead. He continues to be a national embarrassment,” she wrote, addressing both the former president’s comments and the renewed attention on her 2024 speech.
This is hardly the first time Omar’s remarks have drawn ire from both sides of the aisle. Back in January 2024, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Republican from Minnesota, condemned her comments as “a slap in the face to the Minnesotans she was elected to serve and a direct violation of her oath of office.” Emmer went further, calling for her resignation and stating, “She should resign in disgrace.” According to The Post and Meaww, these sentiments were echoed by other lawmakers, underscoring the bipartisan discomfort with rhetoric that appears to prioritize foreign interests over American ones.
But Musk’s involvement has added a new layer of controversy. In the days following his post, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO doubled down on his criticism of Omar and other Democratic leaders, accusing them of deliberately importing migrants to create reliable, left-leaning voting blocs. In an interview with Katie Miller, Musk described the situation in Minnesota—where Omar represents a large Somali-American community—as a “Communist hell,” and claimed that “Ilhan Omar only won her seat because of her Somali vote bank, which consists largely of immigrants not born in America.” He extended this critique to other blue-state strongholds, including California and New York, suggesting that similar tactics are being used to build a “single-party supermajority.”
British journalist Mehdi Hasan was quick to push back on Musk’s rhetoric, accusing the billionaire of hypocrisy. As reported by The Quint, Hasan pointed out that Musk himself is a South African immigrant who votes in Texas, and questioned why Musk was so annoyed that African-born communities like Somali-Americans could vote in the United States. Hasan also noted that Musk’s joking misspelling of New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani’s name was perceived by many as racist, and that Musk has a history of reposting far-right talking points. “Once you understand the incentive, the reason for the behavior becomes obvious: they are importing a left-voting bloc that depends on government handouts,” Musk wrote on X, a statement that critics say echoes nativist conspiracy theories.
Musk’s online activity hasn’t stopped at criticism of politicians. He’s also shared material from controversial UK figures like Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage, amplifying messages that portray Somali migration as a threat to public safety and American identity. In one particularly incendiary post, Musk warned, “If current trends continue, Whites will go from being a small minority of world population today to virtually extinct!” Such statements have alarmed many observers, who argue that Musk is lending credence to white nationalist rhetoric under the guise of political commentary.
Meanwhile, the resurfaced Omar video has sparked renewed debate over the role of immigrant communities in American politics. Supporters of Omar argue that her remarks were taken out of context, intended to reassure Somali-Americans that their interests would not be ignored in Washington. Detractors, however, see the comments as evidence of a “Somalia-first” mindset incompatible with the responsibilities of a U.S. lawmaker. The controversy has also reignited longstanding tensions over the changing demographics of states like Minnesota, where the influx of Somali immigrants has transformed the political landscape—and, some say, the balance of power.
For Omar, the criticism is nothing new. Since her election to Congress, she has faced frequent attacks over her background, faith, and outspoken advocacy for immigrant communities. Yet she remains defiant, insisting that her dual identity as a Somali-American is an asset, not a liability. As she told her constituents in January 2024, “As long as I am in the US Congress, Somalia will never be in danger … Sleep in comfort, knowing I am here to protect the interests of Somalia from inside the US system.” Whether that message resonates as reassurance or as cause for concern seems to depend entirely on one’s political perspective.
As the dust settles, the episode serves as a reminder of the enduring power—and peril—of identity politics in America. With figures like Musk, Trump, and Omar trading barbs and accusations, the debate over who belongs, who decides, and whose interests count most is far from over. For now, the only certainty is that the conversation will continue, echoing through rallies, social media feeds, and the halls of Congress alike.
