US President Donald Trump made the comments during an announcement in the Oval Office. EPA
US President Donald Trump made the comments during an announcement in the Oval Office. EPA
US President Donald Trump made the comments during an announcement in the Oval Office. EPA
US President Donald Trump made the comments during an announcement in the Oval Office. EPA

Donald Trump disparages Minnesota's Somali community


Jihan Abdalla
  • English
  • Arabic

US President Donald Trump took aim at Minnesota's Somali community on Wednesday, amid renewed policies against migrants after the shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington.

Without providing evidence, Mr Trump said the large Somali community in the Midwestern state has defrauded the US.

"Look at their nation, look how bad their nation – it's not even a nation, it's just a people walking around killing each other," he said. "These Somalians have taken billions of dollars out of our country. They've taken billions and billions of dollars."

On Tuesday, Mr Trump attacked Ilhan Omar, a Democratic congresswoman from Minnesota, at a long Cabinet meeting, during which he also said Somalis "contribute nothing" to the US.

"Ilhan Omar is garbage, she's garbage, her friends are garbage," he said. "These are people that do nothing but complain."

Ms Omar responded on X, saying: "His obsession with me is creepy. I hope he gets the help he desperately needs."

About 260,000 people of Somali descent live in the US, according to the 2024 Census. The largest population is concentrated in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The comments come amid a nationwide crackdown on immigration after a shooting near the White House last week that killed one soldier and left the other in a critical condition.

The attack was allegedly carried out by an Afghan man, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, and sent shockwaves through Afghan diaspora communities already anxious over increasing scrutiny.

On Friday, the Trump administration announced that it was halting all asylum decisions and pausing visas for people travelling on Afghan passports.

And on Tuesday, the administration announced it was halting all immigration applications for people from 19 "high-risk" countries, including Somalia.

Mr Trump has made immigration a focus of his policy goals. He has said that restricting even legal immigration and deporting undocumented migrants would benefit the Americans and the US economy.

AVOID SCAMMERS: TIPS FROM EMIRATES NBD

1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details

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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances

All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.

Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.

Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.

Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.

Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.

Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.

The biog

Family: Parents and four sisters

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah

A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls

Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction

Favourite holiday destination: Italy

Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning

Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes

Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure

THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

Updated: December 04, 2025, 10:20 AM