President Donald Trump sparked fresh controversy during live remarks on Tuesday when he dismissed Somalia as “basically no country,” comments that come amid his escalating public feud with Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
“Cause it’s basically no country. Somalia is not even a country,” Trump said. “They don’t have anything that resembles a country.”
Trump:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 20, 2026
Somalia is not even a country.
They don't have anything that resembles a country. pic.twitter.com/mkqSFVMYWi
The remarks echo Trump’s recent statements and social media posts targeting Omar, who was born in Somalia and became a U.S. citizen in 2000. In a Truth Social post over the weekend, Trump suggested Omar should be jailed or sent back to Somalia, claiming she was connected to what he described as massive fraud in Minnesota and accusing her of hating the United States.
There is 19 Billion Dollars in Minnesota Somalia Fraud. Fake “Congresswoman” Illhan Omar, a constant complainer who hates the USA, knows everything there is to know. She should be in jail, or even a worse punishment, sent back to Somalia, considered one of the absolutely worst…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) January 19, 2026
“There is 19 Billion Dollars in Minnesota Somalia Fraud,” Trump wrote, adding that Omar “could help to MAKE SOMALIA GREAT AGAIN!” He also tied his criticism of Omar to ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minnesota, accusing state leaders of protecting criminals and using unrest to distract from alleged financial misconduct.
Omar has sharply criticized Trump and Republicans in recent days. During a Democratic field hearing in St. Paul, she said she never thought she would see what is happening in what she called the “U.S. god—- States,” a remark that drew backlash from GOP lawmakers. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, responded by saying no member of Congress should refer to the country in that way and questioned whether such comments should carry consequences.
.@IlhanMN refers to our great country as the "U.S. G*ddamn States."
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 18, 2026
There is no circumstance in which she should refer to our country in this way. It is beyond disrespectful — it is appalling, disgusting, and SICK. SHAME ON HER! pic.twitter.com/NYrTG8NFxm
Trump has repeatedly defended ICE enforcement actions in Minnesota, arguing that federal authorities are removing violent criminals and making communities safer. In another Truth Social post, he accused Minnesota officials, including Gov. Tim Walz and Omar, of opposing ICE in order to shield what he called “murderers and drug dealers,” while ignoring alleged large-scale fraud in the state.
The president’s description of Somalia comes as part of his broader rhetoric emphasizing law and order, immigration enforcement, and national loyalty. While Somalia has struggled for decades with political instability, militant violence, and weak central governance, Trump’s blunt characterization has intensified criticism from Democrats and advocacy groups who say his language unfairly targets immigrants and communities tied to conflict zones.
