Trump accused of trying ‘to incite a race war’ with comments about Somalis in Minnesota
Donald Trump has been accused of trying to start a race war after he called for people in Minnesota to “fight back” against Somali immigrants.
The US president made the call in a Truth Social post made on Thursday afternoon (Friday morning Australian time).
Donald Trump has called for Minnesotans to “fight back” against Somali immigrants. AP Photo/Eric Gay
"The once Great State of Minnesota is being taken over by Somali Immigrants," Trump wrote.
"There is Violence, Murder, and Mayhem all over the State. The people of Minnesota must fight back."
He then turned his ire to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who ran as Kamala Harris′ vice presidential nominee in 2024.
"You have been robbed, and abandoned by your State Government. Your Governor is an incompetent thief who doesn't want to get involved," Trump said.
"He just wants to get out of town with as much as he can steal, and then, lead a quiet life."
Walz is not running for re-election after serving two terms.
Trump then continued to rail against Somali immigrants.
"The Somalians should not be allowed to get away with what they are doing," he said.
"They view you as weak and stupid people. Fight back Minnesota, fight back!
"If you need, the Federal Government will come to your rescue.
“Governor Tim Walz, and Mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, must immediately ask for Federal help — and leave the rest to us!”
Activists are approached by federal ICE agents after following their cars on February 3, 2026, in Minneapolis. AP Photo/Ryan Murphy
There are an estimated 100,000 people in Minnesota of Somali descent, most of whom are American citizens.
Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council Aaron Reichlin-Melnick described Trump's comments as trying "to incite a race war against Somalis".
"This is so dangerous," Reichlin-Melnick said.
“President Trump is deliberately inciting race hatred against an ethnic minority, calling on the people of Minnesota to ‘fight back’ against ‘Somali immigrants’.
"This must be a terrifying moment for the Somali community."
In criticising Trump’s remarks, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison referenced the actions of ICE agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.
"We've seen what Trump's government coming to the 'rescue' looks like," Ellison said.
"It ended with two Minnesotans shot dead by federal agents, racial profiling, assaults, and the violation of our rights."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, right, and Attorney-General Keith Ellison. AP
Ellison defended the Somali community in his state.
"Somali Minnesotans are our neighbours," he said.
"They are part of Minnesota. And the Minnesota I know and love is so much better than this bigotry."
Trump’s comments came after an 18-year-old was arrested after allegedly planning an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at Minnesota’s Mall of America.
The teenager had been corresponding online with an FBI agent he thought was another ISIS sympathiser, federal authorities said.
In a busy afternoon on Truth Social, Trump also described anybody who uses the term "artificial intelligence" as "the enemy".
"The White House considers anyone that uses the term, 'Artificial Intelligence,' as opposed to the highly accepted new and more accurate term, 'Super Intelligence,' THE ENEMY!" the president wrote.
Abdul El-Sayed is running to be the next senator from Michigan. AP
Yesterday he described Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed as "Mohammed".
"Mohammed El-Sayed is a terrible Candidate for the Dumocrats," Trump wrote.
"Mohammed goes back to the days of the Jihad. He is a RADICAL Extremist, Terrorist Sympathiser."
El-Sayed is leading in the polls in Michigan and would be the first Muslim to be elected to the US Senate.
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