President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over the holiday weekend, telling reporters on Sunday night that he believes “there’s something wrong with him” — a remark that came just days after Trump reacted strongly to Minnesota’s growing immigration issues and a string of high-profile criminal cases connected to the state’s Somali diaspora.
The exchange reignited a bitter political feud between the two men, reflecting the broader national disagreement over immigration, refugee admissions, and the shifting demographics that have transformed major American cities over the last decade.
Trump made the comments while returning to Washington, D.C., following Thanksgiving weekend at Mar-a-Lago, his estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Reporters pressed him about his earlier remarks regarding the Minnesota governor, and Trump did not waver.
“I think there’s something wrong with him. Absolutely,” Trump said, explaining that he believes Walz has embraced reckless immigration policies that have altered the stability and culture of the state. “Anybody that would do what he did, anybody that would allow those people into his state and pay billions of dollars out to Somalia,” he continued. “There is something wrong with Walz.”
Trump’s frustration centers on the dramatic population shift inside Minnesota, particularly in Minneapolis and the surrounding Twin Cities region, where the Somali population has grown rapidly under decades of Democratic leadership. Republicans — both locally and nationally — argue that the changes have brought serious social and security challenges that state officials have repeatedly downplayed.
A State Under Strain
Minnesota’s Somali community is one of the largest in the world outside Somalia itself. Over the years, federal refugee programs and local resettlement partnerships turned the state into a central hub for new arrivals. While many immigrants integrated successfully, the state has also endured headline-grabbing scandals, including the massive $250-million child nutrition fraud case linked to members of the Somali diaspora.
Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have charged at least 78 individuals — with over 50 convictions so far — for siphoning taxpayer money intended to feed low-income children. Republicans frequently cite the case as proof that the state’s leadership has failed to maintain accountability.
Trump referenced this broader situation in his Truth Social posts, describing what he sees as a state overwhelmed by poor policymaking. His remarks triggered immediate backlash from Democrats but resonated with many conservatives who have long argued that Minnesota represents a warning for the rest of the nation.
Walz Strikes Back
Governor Walz did not hold back in his response. On Sunday, he publicly challenged Trump’s mental fitness, calling on the president to “release the MRI results” from his recent October medical examination — an exam Trump described at the time as “perfect.”
Walz expanded on his criticism during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.
“Here we got a guy on Thanksgiving — where we spent time with our families, we ate, we played games, we cheered for football — this guy is apparently in a room ranting about everything else. This is not normal behavior,” Walz said. “It’s clear the president’s fading physically.”
The comments were designed not only to rebuke Trump’s holiday message but also to cast doubt on the president’s overall competency — a political strategy Democrats have intensified as the nation approaches the next election cycle.
The Exchange That Sparked the Firestorm
Trump’s original remarks came in the context of a broader criticism of Minnesota’s handling of Somali migration and related security issues. He noted that longstanding refugee programs, combined with state and federal aid, have created massive taxpayer burdens without adequate oversight.
“Somalian gangs are roving the streets looking for ‘prey’ as our wonderful people stay locked in their apartments and houses hoping against hope that they will be left alone,” Trump wrote on Thanksgiving evening.
While Democrats dismissed the post as inflammatory, Republicans point to ongoing law-enforcement investigations, recruitment concerns, and terrorism-linked cases over the past decade as justification for heightened vigilance.
Trump’s language, while blunt, fit into his larger messaging strategy: highlighting what he sees as the dangers of uncontrolled migration and contrasting it with his administration’s focus on national security.
Minnesota’s Political Divide Widens
The confrontation between Trump and Walz plays out against the backdrop of a deeply divided Minnesota electorate. Though the state has leaned Democratic in recent presidential cycles, public sentiment has shifted, with immigration becoming one of the most polarizing issues.
Republicans argue that the strain on resources — from housing to education to law enforcement — has reached a breaking point. They also say Walz and allied officials have ignored the consequences of their own policies.
Democrats maintain that Minnesota’s immigrant communities contribute economically and culturally, accusing Trump of using fear for political gain.
The latest clash shows just how fragile the debate has become, with national attention now drawn to a governor who was the Democratic vice-presidential nominee just a year earlier.
The Immigration Debate Takes Center Stage
Trump’s criticism comes as the administration increases nationwide immigration enforcement. Following the tragic Thanksgiving-eve ambush in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were shot by an Afghan national who overstayed his visa, pressure on Democratic leaders has intensified.
The White House recently announced a full review of green cards issued to individuals from 19 countries of concern and temporarily suspended new immigration petitions for Afghan nationals. Trump also reaffirmed his plan to “permanently pause migration from all Third World countries” until the U.S. immigration system “fully recovers.”
This week’s feud with Walz fits squarely into that larger narrative: Democratic mismanagement, national security lapses, and what Republicans describe as the consequences of a broken immigration regime.
Why the Feud Resonates Nationally
Even beyond Minnesota, the Trump-Walz clash touches several hot-button issues:
• Border and immigration failures
• State vs. federal responsibility
• Law-enforcement cooperation
• Cultural tensions in rapidly changing communities
• National Guard deployments
• Public frustration with rising crime
For conservatives — especially older voters — the dispute reinforces their belief that Democratic leaders are out of touch with reality and unwilling to confront the consequences of their own policies.
For Democrats, Trump’s rhetoric signals what they claim is a return to divisive politics rather than unity.
Either way, the moment marks a sharp escalation in a feud that has simmered for years.
Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
