World Affairs

Making Disparaging Remarks About Somalis Is Unacceptable and Unworthy of Presidential Conduct

By: Mahmoud El-Yousseph   December 11, 2025

President Trump has recently called U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar "garbage" and immigrants like her "garbage" too. That is a vile and dangerous thing to say. Rep. Omar and Somalis in Minnesota and across the country are now being harassed and threatened thanks to President Trump and his MAGA lunatics.

DJT has a longstanding history of using dehumanizing language toward his political adversaries and marginalized groups, frequently referring to them as "vermin," "enemies from within," and other disparaging terms.

Everything that comes out of Trump's mouth is a lie or an exaggeration of the truth. His double standards really need to stop, and his hatred of Somalis and brown people isn't doing the country any good. It is even more disturbing that all members of the President's cabinet, as well as the MAGA clan, are not embarrassed by Trump's incendiary and vile statements, even when they slander people of color.

US Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) with her son, Adnan; and daughters, Ilwad and Isra. Omar is the first hijabi and first Somali American Muslim elected to the US Congress. Photo credit: starsunfolded.com

A 30-year-old Florida man is facing up to six years in federal prison after confessing to posting violent threats on X that promised to decapitate Rep. Ilhan Omar, murder her "monkey children," and then eat the kids "for protein."

I just read a report by The Independent about this same 30-year-old Florida man facing up to six years in federal prison after confessing to posting violent threats on X that promised to decapitate Rep. Ilhan Omar, murder her "monkey children," then eat the kids "for protein." Via The Independent. That's what you would expect when the "Clown" sitting in the White House demonizes a group of people and calls them "garbage."

Trump raised real concerns about fraud

President Trump raised real concern about a $250 million fraud case committed by 8 Somalis in the State of Minnesota-and I do agree. But he conveniently ignores the over $1 BILLION in fraud cases committed during the same time period by another 79 Americans. Were those people who committed fraud white? Were they Jews? Were they devil-worshippers? That's misleading, and inquiring minds want to know.

Mainstream media should have questioned the President about that. After all, it is our tax money. Homeless veterans, school children, and seniors (including Somalis) could have benefited from that. I did not defend or justify any crimes committed by any Muslim, but I do despise selective morality and cherry-picking.

Notable Somalis from Ohio

Contrary to what President Trump said, the Somalis I have met in central Ohio have been very upstanding and friendly people. They built many shopping malls, mosques, and many successful businesses like I have never seen before. My youngest son's best friend is a successful Somali businessman whose name is Mos'ab. He is a real estate agent who already owns a property out of state at age 20. He is happy, loves America, and, unlike what Trump said, he is accomplished and does not go around "pitching and complaining" as Trump describes people like him. Shamefully, President Trump acts as 100% white trash.

In 1997, I served as an instructional assistant in public middle schools where I met many Somali students. It used to break my heart to see some of them could barely speak English or put a sentence together, but they were determined to succeed. Years later, I met some of them who became doctors, lawyers, nurses, and engineers. And yes, several chose to enlist in the U.S. armed forces.

Munira Yasin Abdullahi is a prominent figure in the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 9th District. She is the first Somali American and the first Muslim woman to serve in the Ohio legislature. Photo credit: ohiostatehouse.org

Munira Abdullahi won the primary in August 2022 and ran unopposed in the November 2022 general election. Ms. Abdullahi is a prominent figure in the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 9th District. She is the first Somali American and the first Muslim woman to serve in the Ohio House. She was the one lawmaker to vote against a resolution condemning October 7 a.k.a. breaking the illegal siege on Gaza. Her vote was in response to concerns about the lack of mention of Palestinian victims of the violence, and later she refused to take a free propaganda trip to Israel. Abdullahi and Rep. Ismail Mohamed are the first two Somali American representatives in Ohio.

Abukar Arman is a Somali political analyst, writer, and former diplomat who served as Somalia's Special Envoy to the United States. He is a widely published foreign policy specialist, writing extensively on Somalia and international political affairs, according to Wikipedia. Arman has lived in the U.S. for over 30 years and has been a community activist, serving on various boards and committees. I am proud to say that he is a good friend of mine who has played a vital role in cultivating relationships and building bridges of understanding among America's diverse communities, especially between Muslims and people of other faiths.

Official figures reveal that nearly 58 percent of Somalis in America were born in the U.S. Furthermore, among the foreign-born Somali population, a significant 87 percent are naturalized U.S. citizens. After all, the U.S. President has no legal authority to deport U.S. citizens. Period!

Abraham Lincoln, renowned for his wisdom and insight, once said, "I don't like that man. I must get to know him better." Had President Trump met my son's Somali friend or others like him, he would be less hostile and more friendly toward Somalis.

It is offensive and disgusting to call them "garbage." Trump's nonstop blithering hatred of his political "foes," minorities, and immigrants is what is weakening this country to the point that America's greatness is a thing of the past.

President Donald Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting: "We can go one way or the other, and we're going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country." With all due respect to President Donald Trump, he is a relentless bullshitter.

With that being said, I would say that making disparaging remarks against Somalis or other groups in America is nasty and not befitting of a president. After all, didn't the Bible say, "God says those who bless Somalia will be blessed, and those who curse Somalis will be cursed."

Author: Mahmoud El-Yousseph   December 11, 2025
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