Minneapolis mayor draws fire for Somali victory speech after third-term win
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Newly re-elected Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is facing backlash from conservatives for delivering a victory speech in Somali and saying Minneapolis welcomes Somalis.
In a video of the speech posted online, Frey can be seen leading chants in Somali as the crowd responds and applauds.
Popular conservative influencer Paul Szypula criticized the progressive mayor, writing, “The complacency here is insane.”
“Mayor Jacob Frey, while up for re-election, spoke for almost a minute in Somalia and then said Minneapolis belonged to Somalia,” Szypula said.
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks during a news conference at City Hall following a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on August 28, 2025 in Minneapolis. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
In a nonpartisan runoff vote, Frey narrowly defeated a challenge from Minneapolis socialist state senator Omar Fateh. Fateh is the first Somali American and first Muslim to serve in the state Senate.
Fateh had the support of the Twin Cities chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., a member of “Squad,” who represents Minneapolis in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., who was former Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate last year and is up for re-election next year, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., have endorsed Frey’s campaign this year.
While speaking to a crowd of Somali residents after his victory, Frey repeatedly thanked the crowd in Somali.
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Then socialist Democratic mayoral candidate Omar Fateh is seen in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 19, 2025. (Omar Fateh Campaign)
“To the great people of Minneapolis, and I say this very intentionally, because no matter where you’re from, Minneapolis should be a place you’re proud to call home,” he said.
He then listed a number of Somali regions, saying: “Whether you are from Bosaso or Mogadishu, whether you are from Hargeisa or Garowe, whether you are from Beledweyne or the southwest, Minneapolis is a place where you come to seek prosperity, where you come to raise your family. »
“This is what these elections mean, these elections mean this is a moment of unity, where the entire Somali community can come together and say, ‘These are our people, this is our city, we stand united behind each other,’” he said.
Conservative pundit Gerry Callahan criticized Frey’s speech, saying, “This is an American politician, raised in America, educated in America, ostensibly representing Americans, kowtowing to a group of strangers. This might be the most humiliating thing I’ve ever seen.”
Podcaster Matt Walsh also weighed in, writing: “As I have said many times, the law should require politicians in this country to speak English when addressing the public in an official capacity. There should never be a time when Americans cannot understand what their elected leaders are saying. »
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Campaign signs for Minneapolis mayoral and city council candidates, including Omar Fateh and Jacob Frey, line a fence in Cedar-Riverside. (Michael Dorgan/Fox News Digital)
Nick Sortor wrote: “I don’t know how big ICE’s presence is in Minneapolis, but it must be much, MUCH bigger. »
Fox News Digital reached out to Frey’s team for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
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This is not the first time Frey has drawn criticism for his political messages in the Somali language. He was also widely criticized in September for releasing a campaign ad in Somali.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, commented on the ad, saying, “This needs to be stopped. »
Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., also reacted to the announcement by posting a disapproving gif.
Kari Lake simply wrote: “WTAF? which is an acronym for “what the real f—“.
After taking office in 2018, Frey was elected Tuesday to his third term as mayor of Minneapolis. He is best known for marching alongside protesters during the Black Lives Matter riots of 2020, which were particularly destructive in Minneapolis, the city in which George Floyd died. Frey was also seen kneeling and crying near Floyd’s casket during a memorial service.
