Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey Blasted On Social Media For Victory Speech In Somali After Winning Third Term

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey drew conservative outrage after delivering part of his victory speech in Somali following his third-term win Tuesday.

Frey spoke for nearly a minute in Somali to a crowd of supporters, thanking them repeatedly in their native language before switching to English. Video of the speech circulated widely on social media, drawing sharp criticism from conservative commentators.

“The pandering here is insane,” wrote conservative influencer Paul Szypula. “Mayor Jacob Frey, as he won reelection, spoke almost a minute in Somalia then said Minneapolis belongs to Somalia.”

The Democratic mayor defeated socialist challenger Omar Fateh, a state senator who had backing from Rep. Ilhan Omar and the Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America. Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Amy Klobuchar endorsed Frey’s campaign. (RELATED: Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey Uses Catholic Church Shooting To Slander Christians For ‘Thoughts And Prayers’)

Newly re-elected Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey gave his victory speech in Somalianpic.twitter.com/y8zyPYFlWp

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 7, 2025

During his speech, Frey told the Somali crowd that Minneapolis should be a place where everyone feels at home, regardless of origin. He named several Somali regions including Bosaso, Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Garowe and Beledweyne.

“This election means this is a moment for unity, where the entire Somali community can come together and say, ‘This is our people. This is our city. We are united behind each other,” Frey said.

Conservative pundit Gerry Callahan called the speech “the most humiliating thing I’ve ever seen,” while podcaster Matt Walsh argued politicians should speak English when addressing the public officially.

“I don’t know how large ICE’s presence in Minneapolis is, but it needs to be much, MUCH larger,” wrote commentator Nick Sortor.

This isn’t Frey’s first controversy over Somali-language political messaging. He faced similar criticism in September after releasing a campaign ad in Somali.