Minneapolis mayor draws fire for Somali victory speech after third-term win

Newly reelected Democratic Mayor of Minneapolis Jacob Frey is dealing with backlash from conservatives for giving a victory speech in Somalia and saying Minneapolis welcomes Somalis.

In a video of the speech posted on-line, Frey singers might be seen talking in Somali because the viewers reacts and applauds.

Well-liked conservative influencer Paul Szypula attacked the progressive mayor, writing, “The pandering right here is insane.”

“Mayor Jacob Frey, when he gained re-election, spoke in Somalia for nearly a minute after which stated that Minneapolis is a part of Somalia,” Szypula stated.

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks throughout a press convention at Metropolis Corridor following a mass taking pictures at Annunciation Catholic College on August 28, 2025 in Minneapolis. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Photographs)

In a second spherical of nonpartisan voting, Frey narrowly defeated a problem from Socialist Minneapolis Secretary of State Sen. Omar Fateh. Fateh is the primary Somali American and first Muslim to serve within the Senate.

Fateh acquired the assist of the Twin Cities chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and Squad member Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who represents Minneapolis within the U.S. Home of Representatives.

In the meantime, Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., who was former Vice President Kamala Harris’ working mate final 12 months and is up for re-election subsequent 12 months, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., endorsed Frey’s marketing campaign this 12 months.

Talking to a crowd of Somali residents after his victory, Frey repeatedly thanked the gang in Somalia.

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Subsequent, Democratic Socialist mayoral candidate Omar Fateh is seen on July 19, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Omar Fateh marketing campaign)

“To the nice folks of Minneapolis, and I say that very intentionally, as a result of irrespective of the place you come from, Minneapolis needs to be a spot you might be proud to name residence,” he stated.

He then listed a variety of Somali areas, saying, “Whether or not you come from Bosaso or Mogadishu, whether or not you come from Hargeisa or Garowe, whether or not you come from Beledweyne or the Southwest, Minneapolis is a spot the place you come to hunt prosperity, the place you come to lift your loved ones.”

“That is what these elections imply. These elections imply that this can be a second for unity, when all the Somali neighborhood can come collectively and say, ‘That is our folks, that is our metropolis, we stand united behind one another,’” he stated.

Conservative pundit Gerry Callahan denounced Frey’s speech, saying, “That is an American politician, raised in America, educated in America, ostensibly representing Individuals and prostrating himself earlier than a bunch of foreigners.” It could possibly be probably the most humiliating factor I’ve ever seen.’

Podcaster Matt Walsh additionally weighed in, writing: “As I’ve stated many instances, politicians on this nation needs to be required by regulation to talk English when addressing the general public in an official capability. There ought to by no means be a time when Individuals can’t perceive what their elected leaders are saying.”

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Marketing campaign indicators for Minneapolis mayoral and metropolis council candidates, together with Omar Fateh and Jacob Frey, line a fence in Cedar-Riverside. (Michael Dorgan/Fox Information Digital)

Nick Sortor wrote: “I do not know the way massive ICE’s presence is in Minneapolis, nevertheless it must be a lot, MUCH greater.”

Fox Information Digital reached out to Frey’s staff for remark however didn’t instantly obtain a response.

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This isn’t the primary time Frey has been criticized for Somali political messaging. He was additionally broadly criticized in September for releasing a marketing campaign advert in Somali.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, responded to the advert, saying, “This must be stopped.”

Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., additionally responded to the advert, posting a disapproving GIF.

Kari Lake merely wrote: “WTAF?” which is an acronym for “what the precise f—.”

After taking energy in 2018, Frey was elected Tuesday to his third time period as mayor of Minneapolis. He’s finest recognized for marching with protesters in the course of the 2020 Black Lives Matter riots, which had been particularly harmful in Minneapolis, town the place George Floyd died. Frey was additionally seen kneeling and crying at Floyd’s casket throughout a memorial service.