From Lagos, Gauteng and Somalia, POTUS Trump rages on
Amb. Anthony Mukwita wrote-
4th Dec 25
Quick Take: The Trump–Omar feud is less a policy debate than a political theatre of insults, race, and identity.
Trump calls Somalia “the worst country in the world,” Omar says he’s “obsessed with me, I don’t know why.” Meanwhile, Trump brokers peace between Congo and Rwanda but rattles sabers at South Africa and Nigeria.
Analysts laugh, the world watches, and Africa wonders what Kissinger would say.
Developing: Trump vs. Omar — A Global Comedy of Errors
It began, as most Trump feuds do, with a microphone and a grievance. President Donald Trump, fresh from brokering a peace deal between Congo and Rwanda, turned his attention back home to Minnesota. “Somalia is the worst country in the world,” he declared, adding that Somali immigrants had “destroyed Minnesota, a great city”.
Cue Representative Ilhan Omar, the Somali born congresswoman from Minnesota, who shot back: “Trump is obsessed with me. I don’t know why. Maybe he thinks I’m living rent free in his head.”
She accused him of Islamophobia, noting that his attacks on Somali immigrants were less about policy than prejudice.
This is not their first round. Trump once famously referred to African nations as “shithole countries”, a remark that analysts say revealed more about his politics than his geography.
Omar, meanwhile, has become his favorite foil, a progressive Muslim woman who embodies everything Trump’s base loves to hate.
But here’s the irony: while Trump is busy beating the drums of rhetorical war against South Africa and Nigeria, he is simultaneously parading as peacemaker in Central Africa.
The Washington Accords, signed under his watch, brought Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi together to end fighting in eastern Congo. So, is Trump the global dealmaker or the neighborhood brawler?
Analysts laugh. “It’s race, it’s politics, it’s theatre,” one quipped. Venezuela watches from afar, perhaps relieved that—for once—the spotlight isn’t on Caracas.
The French, ever fond of diplomacy, might shrug and say: “La diplomatie, c’est l’art de dire ‘bon chien’ jusqu’à ce qu’on trouve un bâton.” (Diplomacy is the art of saying ‘good dog’ until you find a stick.)
How does this end? Likely not with a handshake. Trump thrives on conflict; Omar thrives on resistance.
Their feud is less about Somalia or Minnesota than about America’s unresolved struggle with race, immigration, and identity. POTUS says she is married to her ow brother go figure!
Lessons for Africa? Henry Kissinger once warned that “America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests.” Africa should take note: today you’re a partner in peace, tomorrow you’re a “shithole.”
The continent must build resilience, define its own interests, and laugh at the theatre—because in the end, this is less about Africa than about America’s endless appetite for drama.
Sources: ABC News, NPR, The Hill, PolitiFact, Stanford History, US News, PBS, France24, Guardian Nigeria.
Trump just wants “rare earth minerals” in DR not that he likes our Congolese brothers and sisters there.
The fact is, Mr. Trump was handed the rich natural resources of the DRC on a silver platter because of the foolishness of both Mr. Kagame and Tchisekedi the presidents of Rwanda and DRC respectively.
The DRC President literally begged Mr. Trump to come to his aid to save him from the harassment of the Rwanda backed M23 rebels in exchange for the resources of the DRC and Mr. Trump is unashamedly bragging about taking big USA mining companies to the DRC.
The DRC must be mindful that where Americans move in, they make sure that by the time they leave, the host country is ruined. Examples are Vietnam and Afghanistan and Irag just to mention a few.
The rebels won’t go away and to protect their interests, the Americans will move in their military and that will be the genesis of a long term military presence in the DRC.
It is shameful the extent our so called leaders can go to in betraying their people just to preserve their hold on power.