President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, labeling him “retarded” in response to a welfare fraud scandal involving Somali residents in the state. The controversy emerged following reports that significant taxpayer funds may have been misappropriated and funneled to the militant group Al-Shabaab.
On November 27, 2024, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his disapproval of Walz’s handling of the situation. He stated that Walz is “seriously retarded” for failing to address the alleged misuse of welfare funds. The remarks were further echoed by Trump while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, where he suggested there is “something wrong” with Walz for allowing this situation to develop.
“There’s something wrong with him, absolutely,” Trump remarked. He criticized the governor for what he perceives as a lack of action, stating, “Anyone that would allow those people into his state and pay billions of dollars out to Somalia… it’s not even a country because it doesn’t function like a country.”
The allegations surrounding the Somali community in Minnesota have raised alarms. Reports indicate that Somali individuals have channeled “untold millions” of dollars to Al-Shabaab, a group responsible for numerous attacks resulting in American casualties. In a notable case, a member of the group was convicted in November 2024 for plotting a large-scale attack in the U.S.
In a related development, Trump announced plans to terminate the federal government’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, which currently safeguards tens of thousands of Somalians living in Minnesota. He emphasized that under Walz’s leadership, Minnesota has become a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.”
“Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and billions of dollars are missing,” Trump declared. “Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER!”
Minnesota officials have also responded to the scandal, asserting that Walz bears responsibility for what they describe as a “cascade of systemic failures.” According to data from Minnesota Compass, the state has the largest Somali population in the U.S., with an estimated 79,000 residents from the region.
As reactions continue to unfold, the implications of these allegations and the political rhetoric surrounding them remain significant. The situation highlights ongoing tensions regarding immigration and welfare policies in the United States, particularly in states with large immigrant populations.
The unfolding events serve as a reminder of the contentious nature of political discourse in the country, with both state officials and the federal government navigating complex issues related to community safety, welfare integrity, and national security.
