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Republican Strategist Rebukes Trump’s Thanksgiving Rant: 'Bro, You Gotta Be Kidding Me'

President Trump used a Thanksgiving post to announce a "permanent pause" on immigration from "Third World Countries," attacked Somali immigrants, called Gov. Tim Walz "seriously retarded," and criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar’s attire. Republican strategist Melik Abdul rejected the language on a televised panel, saying, "Bro, you gotta be kidding me now," and warned such rhetoric could harm downballot Republicans. Separately, two West Virginia National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C. were shot; one died, and the suspected shooter is a 29-year-old Afghan national reportedly linked to a CIA-backed paramilitary unit.

10:15 AM, 11/29/2025Politics

President Donald Trump drew sharp criticism after a Thanksgiving Day social-media post in which he announced a "permanent pause" on immigration from "Third World Countries," singled out Somali immigrants, called Minnesota Governor Tim Walz "seriously retarded," and mocked Rep. Ilhan Omar by referring to her as "always wrapped in her swaddling hijab." The remarks prompted swift pushback from both political opponents and some Republicans.

GOP Strategist Rejects the Language

During a televised panel, guest host Manu Raju read excerpts of the president’s message and asked Republican strategist Melik Abdul to respond.

"That was the language from the president of the United States on Thanksgiving night," Raju said. "You’re the Republican in the room. Can you defend that?"

Abdul answered plainly: "No, and I never do." He argued that the language appeals to a small, hardline segment of the base and that some phrases were particularly tone-deaf. Abdul singled out the president’s reference to a "swaddling hijab," saying the imagery the president used was offensive and misplaced.

"So, I was one of those who said when I saw it yesterday, I was like, 'Oh, bro, you gotta be kidding me now,' because he said something, I think it was 'swaddling'... Like, you’re using the image that we usually associate with Christmas and Christ and Jesus. And you’re saying that as a swaddling hijab."

Political Consequences

Abdul warned the remarks could damage Republican prospects beyond the president himself. "Not Donald Trump, but what happens to the Republican Party?" he asked, suggesting that continued use of provocative rhetoric risks alienating voters and hurting downballot candidates.

Related Incident

Separately, authorities in Washington, D.C., reported that two West Virginia National Guard members who had been deployed to the capital were shot; one died. Police identified the suspected shooter as a 29-year-old Afghan national who reportedly fought with a CIA-backed paramilitary unit during the U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. Investigations into the shooting and the suspect's background are ongoing.

The exchange highlights growing tension within the Republican coalition over the tone and impact of the president’s rhetoric as midterm and local races approach.

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