NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
In June 2025, a Fox News segment featuring conservative commentator Ben Domenech ignited a firestorm of criticism after he suggested that Representative Ilhan Omar should “buy a one-way ticket to Somalia.” The comment, made during an episode of The Ingraham Angle guest-hosted by Brian Kilmeade, was widely denounced as racist and xenophobic, intensifying the ongoing debate surrounding Omar’s outspoken political views.
Ilhan Omar, a Somali-born U.S. congresswoman and member of the progressive “Squad,” has been a frequent target of conservative backlash, particularly following her recent remarks describing the United States as “one of the worst countries in the world.” Omar’s comments were made during an interview on Democracy Now! where she criticized the increasing militarization of the country and likened some of President Donald Trump’s policies to those of authoritarian regimes.
In response, Ben Domenech, co-founder of The Federalist and Fox News contributor, sharply criticized Omar on-air. Domenech mentioned that a one-way ticket from Minneapolis, where Omar represents a district, to Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital, costs less than $3,000 — a price Domenech implied Omar could afford on her congressional salary. He suggested that Omar should take such a flight and leave the country, insinuating that she was ungrateful for American citizenship and opportunities.
Brian Kilmeade supported Domenech’s remarks by adding that if Omar took the flight, she would likely be the only passenger, suggesting she could even sit in first class. The segment’s tone and language were widely perceived as dismissive and inflammatory, with many accusing the commentators of perpetuating racist stereotypes and fueling xenophobic sentiments against immigrants and people of color.
The backlash was swift and extensive. Critics pointed out that Omar, who fled civil war in Somalia as a child, earned her U.S. citizenship at 17 and has been an active advocate for human rights and progressive reform. Labeling her comments as unpatriotic overlooks the broader context of her critique, which centers on defending constitutional rights and addressing systemic injustices within the United States.
Advocates for Omar called the Fox News segment “pure unadulterated racism” and argued that such rhetoric contributes to a toxic political environment that dehumanizes public figures based on their ethnicity and immigrant backgrounds.
This incident highlights the deep divisions within American political discourse, where rhetoric often escalates beyond policy disagreement into personal attacks steeped in race and identity politics. It also underscores the challenges faced by public figures like Omar, who navigate political scrutiny while representing marginalized communities.
As the debate continues, many observers urge for more respectful dialogue that engages ideas rather than resorting to ad hominem attacks and xenophobic commentary. Meanwhile, Ilhan Omar remains a prominent and vocal figure in U.S. politics, continuing to advocate for her constituents and progressive causes despite facing persistent criticism.
PLAY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB1kr97yysA
