Minneapolis Mayor Draws Conservative Fury For Somali Victory Speech
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s reelection speech, delivered in Somali and followed by vocal conservative backlash, has become a flashpoint in a debate about language, loyalty, and political pandering in American politics. The episode drew sharp comments from commentators and politicians, highlighted reactions to Somali outreach in the city, and reignited scrutiny over Frey’s record since 2018.
Frey celebrated his narrow victory after ranked-choice rounds by addressing a crowd that included many Somali residents and repeatedly thanking them in Somali. Conservatives immediately seized on the moment, framing his choice to speak in Somali as performative and out of step with expectations for public officials. That reaction set the tone for a torrent of social media criticism and pundit commentary from the right.
Influencer Paul Szypula captured the blunt conservative line when he wrote, “The pandering here is insane.” He doubled down in a follow-up, saying, “Mayor Jacob Frey, as he won reelection, spoke almost a minute in Somalia then said Minneapolis belongs to Somalia,” said Szypula. That kind of language reflects a broader worry among critics that local leaders are prioritizing targeted audiences over a unified civic message.
Frey’s own remarks stayed on the theme of welcoming residents regardless of origin. “To the great people of Minneapolis, and I say that very intentionally, because no matter where you are from, Minneapolis should be a place where you are proud to call home,” he said. He went on to name several Somali regions: “Whether you are from Bosaso or Mogadishu, whether you are from Hargeisa or Garowe, whether you are from Beledweyne or southwest, Minneapolis is a place where you come to seek prosperity, where you come to raise your family.”
The mayor framed the outcome as a unity moment aimed at the Somali community specifically, saying, “Here is what this election means, this election means this is a moment for unity, where the entire Somali community can come together and say, ‘This is our people, this is our city, we are united behind each other,” he said. For Republicans and conservative commentators, that kind of targeted messaging raises questions about language use in official settings and about where political loyalty is signaled. Critics argued it risks creating the appearance of factional favor rather than a broad civic appeal.
Voices on the right were unambiguous. Gerry Callahan slammed the speech with stark language: “This is an American politician, raised in America, educated in America, ostensibly representing Americans, prostrating himself in front of bunch of foreigners. Could be the most humiliating thing I’ve ever seen.” Podcaster Matt Walsh demanded policy changes around language in public addresses, writing, “As I have said many times now, politicians in this country should be required by law to speak English when addressing the public in an official capacity. There should never be a time when Americans can’t understand what their elected leaders are saying.”
Other commentators and elected Republicans piled on, warning about enforcement and immigration presence in the city. Nick Sortor wrote, “I don’t know how large ICE’s presence in Minneapolis is, but it needs to be much, MUCH larger.” Responses from lawmakers included terse condemnations like Rep. Chip Roy’s “This must be stopped.” and public ridicule such as Kari Lake’s blunt “WTAF?” These reactions underscore how this moment tapped into broader national debates about assimilation, enforcement, and political outreach.
The context around Frey’s reelection is relevant: he fended off a challenge from Somali American state Sen. Omar Fateh after ranked-choice rounds, and Fateh carried endorsements from local socialist groups and prominent allies on the left. Frey has also faced previous criticism for campaign messaging in Somali, and his tenure since 2018 has included visible involvement in the 2020 protests, including marching with demonstrators and being photographed at memorial moments tied to George Floyd’s death. Those chapters of his record matter to critics who see a pattern of symbolic gestures over policy results.
Darnell Thompkins is a Canadian-born American and conservative opinion writer who brings a unique perspective to political and cultural discussions. Passionate about traditional values and individual freedoms, Darnell’s commentary reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue. When he’s not writing, he enjoys watching hockey and celebrating the sport that connects his Canadian roots with his American journey.
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