This election could be close. But this may shift the scales.
And now Trump got handed a report in the final hour that could put away this election.
On Saturday, leaders from Minnesota’s sizable Somali-American community gathered at the State Capitol to rally behind Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The event showcased a surprising surge of support from a community not often associated with conservative politics.
“We are gathered today with community leaders, business leaders, and youth leaders from the Somali community and from the Muslim community in Minnesota … to fully support and endorse President Trump and JD Vance,” one speaker announced at the rally, as captured in a video by Alpha News.
He highlighted that “some of the key issues of the community are the global wars – and we’re for peace – economic issues, family values, and education.”
Multiple imams also spoke, emphasizing Trump’s growing support among Somali and Muslim Americans. One imam particularly praised Trump’s plan “to make America great and safe.”
Minnesota Somali-American Republican activist Mohamed Ahmed took the stage to deliver a powerful critique of the American left, which quickly gained traction on social media. “I love Trump,” Ahmed declared. “And the reason why is because he’s a fighter. That’s it. We like fighters.”
He went on to explain, “More importantly, the left left us. They left us. Thirty-three percent of our kids in third grade cannot read at grade level.” Ahmed noted that Minnesota, once a top state in education, recently slipped to 19th in national rankings.
“We talk about economic conditions here,” he continued. “Our condition is horrible. We can’t afford anything, as working-class and middle-class people.”
Expressing a deep frustration with the Democratic Party, he said, “We love our brothers and sisters who are Democrats but you left us. And because the left left us, join the right. Vote for Trump.”
Ahmed also encouraged the audience to support Republican candidates in congressional races. As founder and outreach director of Republican People of Color PAC, Ahmed’s message carried weight within the community.
Writer Walter Kirn shared the viral clip of Ahmed’s speech on X (formerly Twitter), describing it as validation of his own outlook for this election.
“Immigrants w/ a toe-hold in America & the urban working poor looking for a leg up have lost faith in the Ds,” he wrote.
Kirn argued that issues like crime, education, and economic opportunity are hitting these communities the hardest, adding that Democratic efforts on civil rights fail to address the real needs of people trying to advance in America.
“They don’t mainly seek advancement in the parallel economy of non-profit orgs and gov’t work. They want to start businesses & own rental units etc.,” Kirn continued, noting that “wokeness” doesn’t resonate with immigrants from traditional societies or with the working class.
He described it as an “ideological luxury” that these communities “can’t afford to indulge.”
Business owner and former state legislative candidate Salman Fiqy, a prominent organizer of the rally, introduced the speakers while wearing a “Trump Force Captain” hat.
Fiqy, a former Democrat, explained to Alpha News in August that the Somali community’s support for Trump is “a long conclusion that we arrived to,” citing critical issues like education, economy, and safety.
“Also coming from a Muslim faith, we tend to be very conservative people and some of the issues we cannot really turn a blind eye to,” Fiqy added.
Minnesota is home to around 87,000 people of Somali descent, and while traditionally a Democratic stronghold, the state may hold surprises in this election cycle.
With Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ running mate, as the current governor, Minnesota has not been considered one of the key battleground states.
However, some analysts believe Trump has an outside chance of flipping the state and its 10 electoral votes.
According to Polymarket on Saturday night, Trump has a 9% chance of winning Minnesota, which has held the longest streak of voting Democratic since 1972.
Stay tuned to Prudent Politics.
