Trump suggests Somali president 'take back' Ilhan Omar after Omar's remarks about Charlie Kirk

President Donald Trump said in the Oval Office on Thursday that he told Somalia’s president to “take back” Rep. Ilhan Omar after the Minnesota Democrat criticized the legacy of Charlie Kirk in the wake of Kirk’s killing at a Utah turnout event. Trump, speaking to reporters after a meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, described the exchange as a lighthearted jab and framed it as a reflection of his ongoing stance toward Omar, who has been vocal in her condemnations of Kirk’s views.

Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. The case has drawn national attention to the heated rhetoric surrounding Kirk’s work and the broader polarization in political discourse. In the days after the killing, Omar issued comments that the White House and Kirk’s supporters condemned as inflammatory, while Omar’s allies argued she was exercising free speech and calling out what she characterized as a pattern of intimidation and hate in political debate. Reuters reported Trump’s Oval Office remark as part of a broader coverage of the president’s remarks about Omar and the situation surrounding Kirk’s death. AP reported that Omar described Kirk’s critics as engaging in “hateful rhetoric” and suggested a moral reckoning for those who celebrated his work.

The exchange came amid a chorus of reactions to Omar’s responses to Kirk’s murder and to the coverage of his legacy. Omar told Zeteo, a progressive-leaning outlet, that many people were praising a civil debate about Kirk, but she said she did not share in that sentiment, adding that she would not be judged for not honoring the legacy she believed had been built on hate. She later posted a separate video on X in which she criticized Democrats and celebrities for “normalizing Kirk,” calling the conservative figure a “reprehensible human being” and a “stochastic terrorist.” Omar then doubled down on CNN, arguing that she would not allow the halo around Kirk to obscure what she described as harmful rhetoric that contributed to a climate of intimidation. While her comments drew praise from some on the progressive left, they also drew substantial backlash from Kirk’s supporters and some Republicans who argued that the remarks crossed lines.

The incident has stirred political debate about tone and accountability in the wake of political violence. In the House, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced a censure resolution accusing Omar of “celebrating murder.” The measure was blocked last week after four Republicans joined Democrats in narrowly opposing it, underscoring the fragility of party-line cohesion on a highly charged issue. In parallel, reports described a broader climate in which sympathetic voices toward Kirk’s legacy faced condemnation, while critics argued for a focus on policy and civil discourse rather than personal invective.

Authorities have charged the man identified as Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old with a history of alleged anti-democratic and violent ideologies, with aggravated murder and related offenses in the killing. Investigators have said the case is being treated as a violent crime with potential ideological overtones, though prosecutors have not publicly stated a motive at this stage. Omar’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the shooting or on Trump’s comments.

The episode comes as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud participates in international forums and maintains high-level meetings with leaders from around the world. Mohamud’s outreach in recent years has focused on security, governance, and counterterrorism cooperation in the Horn of Africa, as Somalia continues to navigate domestic political sensitivities and regional stability challenges. The Oval Office meeting with Trump was framed by aides as part of a routine conversation with foreign leaders about shared interests and regional concerns.

As the political calendar intensifies, Omar’s stance on Kirk’s legacy and the ongoing conversation about civility in public discourse continue to reverberate across party lines. Some lawmakers argue that explicit calls for punishment or expulsion risk inflaming conflict rather than advancing policy goals, while others contend that public figures have a duty to condemn violent rhetoric and the glorification of violence, regardless of political differences.

Images from the day capture the broad range of responses to the incident. In the Oval Office, Trump spoke with reporters about his remarks on Omar and Mohamud, a moment reflected in captured photos that have circulated across outlets.

Elsewhere, Mohamud has been depicted in international forums and events that highlight Somalia’s ongoing pursuit of stability and governance reforms.

The episode underscores the uneasy balance between free expression, accountability for violent rhetoric, and the risk of inflaming tensions in a polarized political environment. As lawmakers weigh responses to Omar’s remarks and public reactions to Kirk’s death, the public and abstaining voices alike are watching how political leaders frame language, violence, and the legacy of controversial figures in the months ahead.