On the evening of February 24, 2026, President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address ignited a firestorm of controversy, particularly around his pointed remarks about Minnesota’s Somali community and the issue of fraud. The address, delivered before a sharply divided Congress, quickly became a flashpoint for national debate on immigration, fraud, and political rhetoric.
Trump, never one to shy from controversy, announced a new initiative he called the "war on fraud," placing Vice President JD Vance at its helm. "I am officially announcing the war on fraud," Trump declared, adding, "if we’re able to find enough of that fraud, we will actually have a balanced budget." According to Forbes, the president cited Minnesota as the most egregious example, claiming, "members of the Somali community have pillaged an estimated $19 billion from the American taxpayer," a reference to a sprawling welfare fraud investigation in the state.
But the numbers and the narrative, as 5 INVESTIGATES reported, aren’t so clear-cut. While it’s true that Minnesota has seen high-profile fraud cases—most notably the Feeding Our Future scandal and other social service program abuses—the actual figures remain contested. Federal prosecutors estimate the fraud at closer to $9 billion, not the $19 billion Trump claimed. Furthermore, the $19 billion figure originated from an estimate by then-Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, who suggested in December 2025 that "half or more" of $18 billion in Medicaid reimbursements from 14 high-risk programs could be fraudulent. Yet, as 5 INVESTIGATES emphasized, "there’s been no evidence to back up or to disprove that 'half or more' number."
Trump’s rhetoric did not stop at numbers. He described Minnesota’s Somali community as "Somali pirates" and accused them of importing "bribery, corruption and lawlessness" through "unrestricted immigration and open borders." He asserted, "Importing these cultures through unrestricted immigration and open borders brings those problems right here to the USA," according to India Today. This depiction, however, clashes with the historical record. Census data shows about 108,000 people from Somalia live in Minnesota, most in the Twin Cities, and nearly all arrived as refugees fleeing civil war in the 1990s—not through the "unrestricted immigration" Trump described. Refugees undergo extensive background checks and screenings before being allowed into the United States. In fact, approximately 95 percent of Somali immigrants in Minnesota are now U.S. citizens. Concordia University economists estimate Somali Minnesotans pay about $67 million in taxes annually and contribute some $8 billion to the state’s economy.
As Trump’s speech unfolded, the atmosphere in the chamber grew tense, especially among Democratic lawmakers. Representative Ilhan Omar, herself a Somali American and frequent target of Trump’s ire, did not hold back. As the president tried to shame Democrats over immigration, Omar shouted, "You have killed Americans!"—a direct response to Trump’s baiting. According to OpenSourceZone, this exchange came after Trump challenged Democrats to stand if they agreed that "the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens." He continued, "They’re blocking the removal of these people out of our country, and you should be ashamed of yourself." Omar, undeterred, fired back, "You should be ashamed of yourself!"
The heated exchange came in the wake of a tragic incident in Minnesota, where two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were fatally shot. The killings sparked protests and political backlash, leading the Trump administration to halt its surge of immigration operations in the state. Omar, who attended the address with guests from Minnesota affected by these operations, accused the administration of devastating her constituents’ safety and economic security. Ahead of the speech, she told reporters, "We know his speech will be full of lies about how our nation is thriving under his leadership. We know that it is BS. The truth about the state of the union is this, our country is on life support, and the American people are the ones paying the price."
Omar’s defense of her community was unwavering. She repeatedly called Trump a "liar" from her seat, as captured by India Today, and emphasized the positive contributions of Somali Minnesotans. She has long pushed back against what she and her supporters describe as xenophobic attacks, framing Trump’s remarks as not only inaccurate but also deeply damaging to immigrant communities. Her colleague, Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, joined in, also calling Trump a liar as the president’s speech continued.
The political stakes of Trump’s fraud allegations are not limited to Minnesota. During his address, the president accused other Democratic-led states—California, Massachusetts, and Maine—of even worse fraud, broadening his attack on Democratic governance. The fraud schemes in Minnesota, meanwhile, have led to more than 90 indictments and over $200 million in stolen funds from government programs, including education, Medicaid, housing, and autism services, according to the Star Tribune. The Feeding Our Future case alone saw more than 70 people indicted for defrauding a pandemic-era child nutrition nonprofit by billing for services never provided. While some defendants are Somali Americans, most are U.S. citizens, highlighting the complexity of the issue and challenging the narrative of "imported" criminality.
Trump’s relentless focus on the Minnesota fraud cases has had political consequences as well. He has used the scandal to attack not only Omar but also former Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who ended his re-election campaign amid the crisis. On social media, Trump has gone so far as to call Omar a "scammer" and suggest she and "her absolutely terrible friends from Somalia should all be in jail right now or, far worse, send them back to Somalia." Omar, for her part, has countered that such rhetoric is meant to scapegoat immigrants and distract from broader policy failures.
As the dust settles from the State of the Union, the debate over immigration, fraud, and political accountability in Minnesota shows no sign of abating. Trump’s claims have energized his base and inflamed his critics, while lawmakers like Omar continue to defend their constituents and challenge what they see as dangerous distortions. For Minnesotans—especially those in the Somali community—the national spotlight has brought both scrutiny and an opportunity to highlight their contributions and resilience in the face of adversity.
The clash in Congress was more than just political theater; it exposed deep-seated divisions over facts, fairness, and the future of American identity. As investigations into fraud continue and the political rhetoric heats up, the story of Minnesota’s Somali community remains at the heart of a national reckoning over who belongs—and who gets to decide.