Omar Fateh Fires Back at Vance’s 'Mogadishu' Quip During Turning Point Speech

At Turning Point’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Vice President Vance took aim at Minnesota state Sen. Omar Fateh (D), saying Democrats "are not sending their best" and joking that Fateh was Rep. Ilhan Omar’s "candidate for mayor of [Somalian capital] Mogadishu. Wait, I mean Minneapolis." He added, "Little Freudian slip there," as the audience laughed.

Fateh’s Response

Later Sunday, Fateh fired back on the social platform X, quipping that Vance "took time away from the couch to try out comedy." He also highlighted his family’s immigrant story: his father "came to America on a scholarship in the early 60’s, during the civil rights era, and earned a masters in engineering." Fateh, who was born in Washington, D.C., said he is "proud" to represent Minneapolis in the Minnesota Senate.

Reactions and Context

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) mocked Vance’s remark on X, posting, "Wow so authentic." The exchange comes after Fateh—backed by Rep. Ilhan Omar—was one of several challengers who sought to unseat incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey earlier this year; Frey won reelection to a third term in November.

Broader Political Note: The piece also notes recent criticism by President Trump of Minnesota’s Somali community amid a large-scale fraud investigation tied to state social programs, in which dozens of people of Somali descent have been implicated.

This spat highlights how immigration, identity and local politics continue to surface in national political rhetoric.