Elon Musk Accuses Rep. Ilhan Omar of Treason Following Somalia Comments

Elon Musk Accuses Rep. Ilhan Omar of Treason Over Somalia Comments

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has ignited controversy by accusing Representative Ilhan Omar of treason over comments she made to Somali constituents earlier this year. The accusation came after Musk shared a video clip on his X platform showing Omar addressing a Somali community gathering in Minnesota.

“This sounds like treason,” Musk wrote when reposting the video on Wednesday, significantly amplifying its reach through his massive social media following.

The video in question captures Omar speaking to supporters in the Twin Cities in January 2024. In her remarks, the Democratic congresswoman promised to fight against the breakaway Republic of Somaliland’s plans to allow Ethiopia to establish a naval base on its coastline.

“The U.S. government will do what we ask it to do,” Omar said, according to a translation of her speech. “We should have this kind of confidence in ourselves as Somalis. We live in this country. We are taxpayers in this country. This country is one where one of your daughters sits in Congress. While I am in Congress, no one will take Somalia’s sea, and the U.S. government won’t support others to rob us.”

Minnesota is home to the largest Somali refugee community in the United States, with a significant portion residing in Omar’s congressional district. As the first Somali-American elected to Congress, Omar has maintained close ties with this constituency throughout her political career.

The resurfaced video gained renewed attention after former President Donald Trump criticized Omar during a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday. Trump’s comments took aim at both Omar personally and Minnesota’s Somali community more broadly.

“I love this Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is, with the little turban,” Trump said at the rally. “She comes in, does nothing but b—-. She comes from her country, where, I mean, it’s considered about the worst country in the world, right? We ought to get her the hell out.”

His remarks prompted chants of “Send her back!” from the crowd, echoing similar controversial rallying cries from previous Trump events targeting Omar and other progressive congresswomen of color.

Trump also referenced recent fraud allegations involving dozens of Somali immigrants in Minnesota. State authorities have been investigating widespread fraud schemes in state-funded programs that allegedly cost Minnesota approximately $1 billion. Trump criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, for the alleged fraud occurring under his administration.

The controversy touches on sensitive issues of immigration, national loyalty, and political representation. Omar, who came to the United States as a refugee from Somalia and became a U.S. citizen in 2000, has faced repeated questions about her allegiance from political opponents since entering national politics.

Omar responded to Trump’s rally comments Tuesday night on X, writing: “Trump’s obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help… He continues to be a national embarrassment.”

Musk, who owns X (formerly Twitter) and leads companies including Tesla and SpaceX, has become increasingly vocal on political issues in recent years. His accusation of treason—a federal crime punishable by death or imprisonment—represents a significant escalation in rhetoric against a sitting member of Congress.

The exchange highlights the intensifying political discourse around immigration and representation as the country approaches the November presidential election, with Minnesota potentially serving as a battleground state where Somali-American voters could play a significant role in determining electoral outcomes.