In a fiery press exchange over the weekend, former President Donald Trump doubled down on his controversial remarks labeling Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as “retarded,” citing large-scale fraud scandals in the state as justification for his attacks. The comments, made during a Saturday media interaction, reignited debates over immigration policy, welfare oversight, and U.S. foreign aid, while drawing a sharp online retort from Walz himself.
Trump’s statements focused on what he described as more than $1 billion in fraud schemes that have affected Minnesota under Walz’s administration. He specifically highlighted the $250 million Feeding Our Future scandal, a federal case involving members of the Somali community accused of defrauding a child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is what happens when you have lax oversight and open borders,” Trump said, according to transcripts of the exchange. He tied the issue to broader criticisms of Minnesota’s Somali immigration policies, arguing that the state has become a hub for such abuses because of its resettlement programs.
The former president also targeted U.S. aid to Somalia, which totals hundreds of millions of dollars annually for humanitarian efforts, including food security and refugee support. Trump questioned the effectiveness of these funds, suggesting they indirectly enable fraud in the United States by supporting populations he claims exploit American systems. “We’re sending billions overseas while they’re scamming us here at home,” he remarked, echoing long-standing Republican concerns about foreign aid priorities.
Adding to the controversy, Trump reiterated unsubstantiated allegations against Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, claiming she married her brother to gain entry into the United States—an accusation Omar has repeatedly denied as baseless and rooted in xenophobia. These claims, which first surfaced during Trump’s presidency, have been dismissed by fact-checkers and Omar’s office, though they continue to circulate in conservative circles. Omar, a Somali-American and one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, has called the allegations “dangerous lies” that put her and her family at risk.
Governor Walz, who served as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 election, responded swiftly on social media. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Walz fired back: “When the guy who bankrupted casinos and stiffed workers calls you names, you know you’re doing something right. Minnesota is stronger because of our diverse communities—fraudsters will be held accountable, no matter who they are.” Walz’s team defended the state’s handling of the scandals, noting that investigations began under his administration and that federal authorities are leading the prosecutions.
The exchange comes amid heightened national discussions on immigration and welfare reform, particularly as the incoming administration prepares to take office in January. Critics argue that Trump’s language is inflammatory and divisive, potentially stoking anti-immigrant sentiment. Supporters, however, praise his candor in addressing what they see as systemic failures in Democratic-led states like Minnesota.
Federal prosecutors have charged dozens of individuals in the Feeding Our Future case, with trials ongoing and millions in assets seized. The scandal has prompted calls for tighter controls on federal aid programs, though defenders of Minnesota’s Somali community emphasize that the actions of a few do not represent the whole, pointing instead to the community’s significant contributions to the state’s economy and culture.
As the 2026 midterms approach, this back-and-forth may signal escalating political rhetoric, with both sides poised to use the issue to rally their bases. Neither Trump’s campaign nor Walz’s office provided further comment by press time.
