U.S. President Donald Trump launched a verbal attack against immigrants from Somalia and Haiti while addressing a political rally in Youngstown, Ohio, where he was showing support for Republican candidates in upcoming elections.
Trump focused his speech on immigration issues, accusing Somali and Haitian immigrants of causing problems for the United States. He specifically mentioned Somalis living in Minnesota, comparing their situation to that of Haitians living in Springfield, Ohio.
“If you want to save Ohio from the looting, theft, and destruction happening in Minnesota, we will put a stop to that,” Trump said at the rally, adding that his administration had taken action regarding the Haitians living in Springfield.
The U.S. President also reiterated previous accusations against Haitians, claiming they were eating household pets. These allegations—which he had previously made during the 2024 presidential debate—have been described as lacking evidence. During his speech, Trump stated that the residents of Springfield would reclaim their city, praising his administration’s policies that restrict immigration and the presence of Haitians in the country.
Trump devoted a significant portion of his remarks to Somalis, using derogatory language to characterize them as having low intelligence and lacking clothing to wear.
The President has recently been a frequent critic of the Somali community in Minnesota, home to a large population of Somali immigrants to the United States.
These remarks came on the same day that U.S. homeland security officials conducted a search at the home of Ilhan Omar, a Democratic congresswoman of Somali origin representing a district in Minnesota.
Trump’s speech was part of his efforts to support Republican candidates ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. He was specifically backing Senator Jon Husted, who is facing an electoral challenge from Democratic politician Sherrod Brown.
