(Photo by Caylo Seals/Getty Images)
A sharp exchange unfolded over the weekend after Vice President JD Vance took aim at Minnesota state Sen. Omar Fateh during a high-profile conservative gathering, prompting a pointed and personal response from the Democratic lawmaker.
Speaking Sunday at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Vance criticized Democrats and mocked Fateh’s failed bid for Minneapolis mayor earlier this year. “They are not sending their best,” Vance said, echoing a line frequently used by Donald Trump. He then singled out Fateh, a democratic socialist backed by Rep. Ilhan Omar, suggesting he was her “candidate for mayor of [the Somali capital] Mogadishu. Wait, I mean Minneapolis.”
“Little Freudian slip there,” Vance added, smiling as the crowd laughed.
The remark quickly drew backlash online, with critics accusing the vice president of leaning into ethnic stereotypes by conflating Minneapolis with Somalia’s capital city. Fateh, who is of Somali descent but was born in Washington, D.C., did not stay silent.
Later Sunday, Fateh responded on the social media platform X with a biting comment of his own, saying Vance “took time away from the couch to try out comedy.” The line referenced past jokes and criticism aimed at the vice president and quickly gained traction among Democratic supporters.
Fateh followed up by defending his background and family history, pushing back against the implication that he was somehow less American. He wrote that his father “came to America on a scholarship in the early 60’s, during the civil rights era, and earned a master’s in engineering.” The Minnesota lawmaker added that he is “proud” to represent Minneapolis in the state Senate, framing Vance’s comments as out of touch with both his personal story and the city he serves.
The exchange did not end there. Sen. Ruben Gallego also weighed in, posting “Wow so authentic” on X late Sunday, a sarcastic swipe at Vance’s attempt at humour and populist appeal.
Fateh’s political profile rose earlier this year when he launched a challenge to incumbent Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Backed by Ilhan Omar and other progressive figures, Fateh ran on a platform rooted in democratic socialist ideals, emphasizing housing reform, public safety changes, and economic justice. Despite a crowded field of challengers, Frey ultimately won reelection to a third term in November, ending Fateh’s mayoral ambitions for now.
Vance’s comments also arrive amid heightened national attention on Minnesota’s Somali American community. In recent weeks, President Trump has criticized the community following revelations that dozens of individuals of Somali descent were implicated in a large-scale fraud investigation involving Minnesota’s social assistance programs. Federal prosecutors have alleged widespread misuse of funds intended for nutrition and child care programs, a case that has fueled political rhetoric well beyond the state.
Democrats have warned against painting entire communities with a broad brush, arguing that criminal cases involving a limited number of individuals should not be used to stigmatize immigrants or minority groups. Fateh’s response to Vance appeared to echo that concern, emphasizing his family’s long-standing ties to the US and his role as an elected official representing Minneapolis residents.
The clash underscores the increasingly sharp tone of national political discourse as the Trump administration’s second term continues and both parties look ahead to future elections. What began as a joke at a conservative conference has now become another flashpoint in the broader debate over identity, representation, and rhetoric in American politics.
