The political firestorm surrounding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk shows no signs of slowing. This week, President Donald Trump sharply criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), blasting her remarks about Kirk and raising questions about her place in American politics. The clash has reignited deep partisan divides, spilling from the halls of Congress onto social media and into homes across the nation.
Trump Unleashes on Truth Social
On Thursday morning, Trump took to Truth Social, delivering one of his most pointed rebukes of Omar to date. In his post, he targeted not only her comments about Charlie Kirk but also her ties to her birth country, Somalia.
“Ilhan Omar’s Country of Somalia is plagued by a lack of central Government control, persistent Poverty, Hunger, Resurgent Terrorism, Piracy, decades of Civil War, Corruption, and pervasive Violence,” Trump wrote.
He continued by citing statistics about Somalia’s dire situation: “70% of the population lives in extreme Poverty, and widespread Food Insecurity. Somalia is consistently ranked among the World’s Most Corrupt Countries, including Bribery, Embezzlement, and a Dysfunctional Government. All of this, and Ilhan Omar tells us how to run America!”
Trump concluded his post with a pointed jab: “P.S. Wasn’t she the one that married her brother in order to gain Citizenship??? What SCUM we have in our Country, telling us what to do, and how to do it. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The comments immediately trended online, with Trump supporters cheering his bluntness while critics accused him of crossing the line.
The Failed Censure Vote
The controversy follows a dramatic battle in the House of Representatives earlier this week. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced a resolution to censure Omar for her disputed remarks about Kirk in the aftermath of his assassination.
The measure failed by a single vote — 214 to 213 — after four Republicans broke ranks and sided with Democrats to table the motion.
Omar responded defiantly on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“Fun fact: Nancy Mace is trying to censure me over comments I never said. Her res does not contain a single quote from me because she couldn’t find any. Unlike her, I have routinely condemned political violence, no matter the political ideology.”
But Omar has not backed away from her broader criticisms of Kirk, even doubling down at a recent public event.
Omar’s Past Remarks Resurface
Omar’s critics point to comments she made in an interview with the left-leaning outlet Zeteo. In that discussion, Omar dismissed portrayals of Kirk as simply a civil debater, instead accusing him of downplaying slavery and mocking Juneteenth.
“There are a lot of people out there talking about him just wanting to have a civil debate,” Omar said. “There is nothing more effed up than to completely pretend that his words and actions have not been recorded and in existence for the last decade or so.”
Conservatives seized on those remarks after Kirk’s assassination, arguing that they crossed a moral line.
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) declared, “Ilhan Omar didn’t just make reprehensible comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. She shared a disgusting video claiming Charlie had it coming to him. People are losing their jobs for far less.”
Mace Turns Up the Heat
Nancy Mace, who spearheaded the censure resolution, has become one of Omar’s fiercest critics in the wake of the controversy. In a statement to Explain America, she said:
“If you’re Somalia first, you’re not America first, and a one-way ticket to Somalia is the nicest thing we could do.”
On social media, Mace was even more blunt: “If you celebrate murder, maybe Somalia can take you back.”
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Mace added: “Now she’s lashing out because we called her out. What’s not ‘well’ is celebrating political violence. What’s not ‘smart’ is defending it. Omar should be ashamed of herself.”
Divided GOP, Divided Nation
The failed censure underscored just how fractured Congress has become. While most Republicans rallied behind Mace’s resolution, four broke away — Reps. Mike Flood (Neb.), Tom McClintock (Calif.), Jeff Hurd (Colo.), and Cory Mills (Fla.). Their defections handed Democrats the votes needed to table the measure.
For Democrats, the vote was another chance to close ranks around Omar, who remains a prominent member of the progressive “Squad.” For Republicans, it was a reminder that unity is not guaranteed, even when the party is rallying around one of its central causes.
Trump’s Broader Strategy
For Trump, the clash with Omar plays into a larger strategy heading into the next election cycle. He has repeatedly targeted the “Squad” — progressive Democrats including Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib — as symbols of what he calls the radical left’s vision for America.
By tying Omar’s comments to Kirk’s assassination, Trump is drawing a stark contrast between conservative martyrdom and progressive rhetoric. His Truth Social post served both as a direct attack on Omar and as a rallying cry for his base.
What Comes Next
The political fallout is far from over. Omar has vowed not to be silenced, insisting she has condemned violence consistently. Mace and her allies appear determined to keep pressing the issue, whether through another censure attempt or public pressure.
Meanwhile, Trump’s comments guarantee the story will remain in headlines for days, if not weeks. For his supporters, his blunt criticism reinforces his image as a leader unafraid to say what others won’t. For his detractors, it is yet another example of rhetoric that inflames division.
Charlie Kirk’s assassination has already left the nation shaken. The fight over Ilhan Omar’s response has added another layer of bitterness to Washington’s already toxic atmosphere.
What began as mourning for a conservative activist has morphed into a battle over words, loyalty, and identity. In that battle, Trump has made clear he intends to play a central role.
Whether this controversy fades or becomes a defining political flashpoint may depend on how both parties navigate the coming weeks. But one thing is certain: in the war of words surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death, the volume is only getting louder.
