U.S. President Donald Trump stated during his address at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday that Western nations cannot “mass import foreign cultures which have failed to ever build a successful society of their own,” linking immigration policy to the preservation of cultural foundations that he said underpin Western prosperity.
In the speech, delivered on the one-year anniversary of his second inauguration, Trump described U.S. immigration enforcement measures, including deportations of individuals with criminal records, termination of welfare and government benefits for undocumented immigrants, and the end of federal payments to sanctuary cities. He cited reductions in crime in cities such as Washington D.C., Memphis and New Orleans as outcomes of these policies.
“The situation in Minnesota reminds us that the West cannot mass import foreign cultures which have failed to ever build a successful society of their own,” Trump said. “I mean, we’re taking people from Somalia, and Somalia is a failed, it’s not a nation. Got no government, got no police, got no mi, got no nothing.”
He referenced U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, describing her as originating from Somalia, which he called “a country that’s not a country,” and said she was “telling us how to run America.” Trump added: “not going to get away with it much longer, let me tell you.”
Trump says the West can’t import foreign cultures that have failed to build societies on their own, despite letting illegal workers stay to appease special interests.
— AF Post (@AFpost) January 21, 2026
Follow: @AFpost
pic.twitter.com/jeVn6E22SP
Trump attributed Western prosperity and progress to a “very special culture” rather than policy measures alone. “The explosion of prosperity and conclusion and progress that built the West did not come from our tax codes. It ultimately came from our very special culture,” he said. “This is the precious inheritance that America and Europe have in common, and we share it. We share it, but we have to keep it strong. We have to become stronger, more successful, and more prosperous than ever. We have to defend that culture and rediscover the spirit that lifted the West from the depths of the Dark Ages to the pinnacle of human achievement.”
He expressed concern about the effects of mass migration on Europe, stating that certain places were “not even recognizable” and that leaders had not adequately addressed the issue. Trump said the United States “cares greatly about the people of Europe” and affirmed shared civilizational bonds, while calling for Europe to strengthen itself through policies on energy, trade, immigration and growth.
The remarks formed part of a broader address covering U.S. economic performance, energy production, tariff policies, border security and international relations, including negotiations over Greenland and efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Trump also criticized past Western approaches to migration, energy and industrial policy as contributing to deficits, weakened militaries and social challenges.
No immediate responses from European leaders, Somali authorities or Representative Omar were available following the speech.
The full address, which lasted more than an hour and included a question-and-answer session with moderator Larry Fink, is available through World Economic Forum archives and sources including C-SPAN.
