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donald trump Comments about the scenes in Minnesota turned into criticism of the state’s Somali immigrant community. The president recalled Minnesota’s lakes before claiming that Somali immigrants have harmed the state.
His comments came amid widespread criticism of Minnesota Rep. Ilhan OmarWhich Trump repeatedly targeted during his remarks.
How Donald Trump’s White House remarks focused on Minnesota and Ilhan Omar
Trump was the first to recall what he described as an earlier version of minnesota. He said, “You know I remember Minnesota in the old days, how beautiful, beautiful, there were lakes everywhere, more lakes than any place I ever saw.”
according to new republicHe then shifted his comments towards the state’s Somali population. “They’ve ruined a great state,” Trump said, later adding, “They’re destroying it, maybe, maybe they’ve destroyed it.”
Trump did not provide evidence linking Minnesota’s Somali community to the changes involving the state’s lakes. He also expressed support for an unnamed Republican woman, whom he said could bring about change if elected. The source identified Lisa Demuth as the person he was likely referring to and noted that she was running for governor against a Democratic senator. Amy Klobuchar.
The president’s comments about Minnesota lakes came during a lengthy attack on Omar. Trump asked the question his citizenship history and said she could face deportation or prison if evidence comes to light that her father falsified his age on a citizenship application nearly three decades ago.
Trump also called Omar “sick” and a “very dishonest person who hates our country.”
His criticism then extended beyond Omar to Somalia and Somali immigrants living in the United States. Trump condemned Somalia and questioned why Omar should have influence over American politics.
“She is a disgrace to our country, and it’s amazing that she can get elected, but the Somali people vote for her,” Trump said, using the wording quoted in the source.
Without providing evidence cited in the source, Trump also claimed that 98 percent of Somalis do not work in the country. “Most of them shouldn’t be here,” he said.
The comments linked Ilhan Omar’s criticism of Trump to widespread attacks on Somali immigrants in Minnesota and across the country.