Donald Trump labelled Minnesota a “hellhole”, blaming a particular group of immigrants for “destroyed our country” during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. The remark was made as the president announced changes to gas mileage requirements nationwide, part of his plan to revamp energy policy and bolster the fossil fuel industry.
When questioned about his recent criticism of Somali immigrants, he interrupted the reporter and simultaneously criticised Minnesota’s politicians.
“The mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, is saying that he’s actually proud to have the largest Somali community in the country, and his police chief is also saying…” the reporter began.
“Then he’s a fool. I wouldn’t be proud to have the largest Somalian. Look at their nation. Look at how bad their nation is. Their nation – it’s just people walking around killing each other,” the president retorted.
He then accused Somali immigrants of extracting “billions of dollars out of our country.”
His next target was Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn), who is of Somali descent. He repeated allegations that she married her brother and labelled her a “fraud.
“She shouldn’t be allowed to be a congresswoman, and I’m sure people are looking at that. And she should be thrown the hell out of our country,” Trump declared.
Omar is a naturalised American citizen who has represented Minnesota’s 5th congressional district since 2019. She immigrated to the U.S. legally in 1995 alongside her family, claiming asylum after fleeing the Somali Civil War, and obtained citizenship in 2000 aged 17.
Trump accused her and the entire Somali community in Minneapolis – all of which falls within Omar’s congressional district – of destroying the state and the nation.
His subsequent attack was directed at Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who stood for vice president on former Vice President Kamala Harris‘ ticket last year.
“Minnesota – you have an incompetent governor. You have a crooked governor – he’s crooked as hell, but he’s incompetent. Walz – he should be ashamed,” Trump said.
He then demanded that all Somalis in Minnesota and throughout the country be deported.
“That beautiful land, that beautiful state, it’s a hellhole right now, and those Somalis should be out of here.
They destroyed our country, and all they do is complain, complain, complain,” he said.
