Trump Weighs In on Ilhan Omar's 'Not to My Knowledge' Response to Brother Marriage Rumors

Former President Donald Trump commented on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's response to longstanding rumors that she married her brother, suggesting her phrasing was telling.

Omar, 44, was recently asked if she had married her brother and responded, “Not to my knowledge.” Trump, who has a history of public disagreements with Omar, stated that this response indicates a lot. “Well, if you asked me that same question about, let's say, my sister, I would say 'no.' She said 'not to my knowledge.' That tells you a lot right there,” Trump said.

This exchange occurred shortly after federal agents searched Omar's Washington, D.C. home as part of an investigation into alleged immigration fraud. Trump, who has admitted he is "never been a big fan" of Omar's, advised people to "see how it works out" with the investigation. He reiterated his belief that her statement was significant.

Omar has previously dismissed the allegations as “insane” and attributed the spread of these conspiracy theories to right-wing influencers. During an interview, MS NOW host Chris Hayes pressed Omar on the possibility of a familial connection to her former husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi.

“You were not related to him at all? There's not a weird kernel of truth…?” Hayes asked. Omar replied, “Not to my knowledge.”

This interview marked Omar's first major public statement since Homeland Security Investigations seized electronic devices and personal belongings from her residence. Hayes acknowledged the unusual nature of the accusations, which have been amplified by Trump and other political opponents.

"There are right wing people who believe that this man was your brother. You have called it a disgusting lie," Hayes told Omar. He then asked about the origin and reasons behind the allegations regarding her former husband.

Omar explained that the allegations began on a Somali blog and were later adopted by conservative activists in Minneapolis. She stated that these activists found individuals who claimed Omar had introduced Elmi as her brother, which she described as “insane.” Omar asserted that she did not recognize the people making these claims.

There is no verifiable evidence that Elmi is Omar's brother, and she has consistently denied the accusation.

The interview also provided Omar's most detailed account of the federal search, which has drawn scrutiny to her citizenship and personal life. She described approximately 15 to 25 agents arriving at her home at 6 a.m., pounding on doors while she and her family were asleep. Agents reportedly spent four to five hours searching the property and removed 17 items, including phones, notebooks, a camera, and a Somali language book. Omar characterized the search as “intrusive but polite,” noting that agents handled her belongings with care.

However, she accused the Trump administration of orchestrating the search as a politically motivated spectacle. "They had to do something, I believe, to say, hey, look, we raided her house," she alleged.

Federal investigators are reportedly examining allegations of immigration fraud, specifically whether false statements were made on immigration documents concerning Omar's birth date. Grand jury subpoenas have been issued, including some related to Omar's relatives. Omar maintains that she legally obtained American citizenship at age 17 through her father, Nur Omar Mohamed, who became a naturalized citizen in 2000. She suggested that the investigation's focus on documents completed by her late father was convenient for investigators, as he could no longer defend himself.

Trump had previously suggested that Omar could face jail time if immigration fraud is established. Omar, however, insisted she had committed no wrongdoing and alleged that the administration was conducting a politically motivated campaign against her.

Omar also addressed financial disclosures that initially appeared to value business interests connected to her husband, Tim Mynett, at approximately $30 million. This figure was later revised significantly downward to around $20,000 after accounting for liabilities. Omar rejected claims of significant personal wealth, describing her family as middle-class and living a “basic life” with everyday expenses and a single 2016 Toyota Camry as their only vehicle. She also stated she rents her residences in Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis.

Omar revealed her intention to move from her Washington residence due to security and privacy concerns, citing ongoing death threats. Despite the legal and political pressures, she affirmed her commitment to remaining in Congress, suggesting that her opponents resent her background and faith in political power.