Trump Tells Omar and Tlaib to 'Get on a Boat' After SOTU Clash

The president's comments come after the Democratic congresswomen criticized his administration's immigration policies.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 7:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

President Donald Trump has said Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib should 'get on a boat' and be sent back to 'where they came' from, after the two Democratic congresswomen clashed with him during his State of the Union address. Trump's comments have been criticized as xenophobic and disgraceful by Democrats.

Why it matters

Trump's remarks targeting Omar and Tlaib, both U.S. citizens, are the latest in a series of attacks by the former president on minority lawmakers. The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between the president and progressive members of Congress over issues like immigration enforcement.

The details

During Trump's State of the Union address, Omar and Tlaib shouted criticism when the president touted his administration's immigration enforcement. 'You have killed Americans,' Omar said. In a subsequent social media post, Trump said the congresswomen should be sent back to 'where they came' from, despite both being U.S. citizens. Democrats have condemned Trump's comments as xenophobic.

  • On February 25, 2026, Trump made the comments about Omar and Tlaib on his Truth Social platform.
  • On February 24, 2026, Omar and Tlaib criticized Trump's immigration policies during his State of the Union address.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who made the controversial comments about Omar and Tlaib.

Ilhan Omar

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Minnesota who criticized Trump's immigration policies during the State of the Union address.

Rashida Tlaib

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Michigan who also criticized Trump's immigration policies during the State of the Union address.

Hakeem Jeffries

The House Minority Leader who called Trump's comments about Omar and Tlaib 'xenophobic' and 'disgraceful'.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You have killed Americans.”

— Ilhan Omar, U.S. Representative

“It was important for me to just remind the American people that the president and his administration was responsible for killing two American citizens.”

— Ilhan Omar, U.S. Representative (CNN)

“Trump cannot 'take two Muslims talking back and correcting him so now he is crashing out'.”

— Rashida Tlaib, U.S. Representative (X (formerly Twitter)

“Trump's comments are xenophobic and disgraceful.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader

What’s next

The controversy over Trump's remarks about Omar and Tlaib is likely to continue, with Democrats condemning the comments and Republicans potentially defending the former president. The incident could also further inflame tensions between the White House and progressive members of Congress.

The takeaway

Trump's latest attack on minority lawmakers underscores the deep partisan divisions in Washington and the former president's continued willingness to make inflammatory statements targeting political opponents. The exchange highlights the ongoing battles over immigration policy and the role of race and identity in American politics.