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Newly re-elected Minneapolis Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey is facing backlash from conservatives for giving a victory speech in Somali and saying that Minneapolis welcomes Somalians.
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 ripped into the progressive mayor, writing, “The pandering here is insane.”
“Mayor Jacob Frey, as he won reelection, spoke almost a minute in Somalia then said Minneapolis belongs to Somalia,” said Szypula.
MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR’S RACE ADVANCES TO RANKED CHOICE VOTING AFTER NO CANDIDATE REACHES 50%
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks during a press conference at City Hall following a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on Aug. 28, 2025 in Minneapolis. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
In a second round of nonpartisan ranked-choice voting, Frey narrowly defeated a challenge from socialist Minneapolis state Sen. Omar Fateh. Fateh is the first Somali American and first Muslim to serve in the state senate.
Fateh had the backing of the Twin Cities’ chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., 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., endorsed Frey’s campaign this year.
While speaking with a crowd of Somali residents after his victory, Frey repeatedly thanked the crowd in Somali.
ILHAN OMAR ERUPTS AT OWN PARTY FOR RENEGING ON SOCIALIST CANDIDATE’S ENDORSEMENT: ‘INEXCUSABLE’
Then Democratic socialist 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 that very intentionally, because no matter where you are from, Minneapolis should be a place where…
