Minnesota Lt. Gov. and current Democratic Senate primary candidate Peggy Flanagan, who is not Muslim, donned a hijab and proclaimed solidarity with Minnesota’s Somali community in what amounted to a humiliating display of political pandering.
[Did no one inform the far-left lieutenant governor, who is Catholic, that this was cultural appropriation?]
In the video below (released on Thursday), Flanagan visited the Somali market in Minneapolis. She began her remarks with a Somali greeting, “As-salamu alaykum,” which means “peace and blessings be upon you.”
Flanked by two Somalis, she noted that she has been friends with the woman, Nimco, for nearly 25 years. She said, “When I think of being part of Minnesota and growing up here, the Somali community has always been a part of my Minnesota.”
While I may be mistaken, despite their long-standing friendship, Nimco’s expression throughout Flanagan’s remarks looked an awful lot like disdain. Perhaps she understood she was being used as a prop in her friend’s performative display of inclusivity. The man in the video wore a similar look on his face.
Flanagan told viewers she was “incredibly clear that the Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota.”
She continued, “I want to just encourage the community to know that we’re with you, we’ve got your back. I am here shopping today and just encourage other folks to show up, support our Somali businesses, support our immigrant neighbors. And I know that things are scary right now, and just know that there are more people who are looking out for you, there are more people who are here to support you than you know.”
As one X user pointed out, Flanagan is the current frontrunner in the Democratic Senate primary. The fraud scandal that has engulfed the Somali community in recent weeks has only reinforced a long-standing political reality in Minnesota — the decisive role this voting bloc can play in statewide elections.
Unfortunately for Flanagan, her hijab moment landed poorly, and her transparent exercise in virtue signaling may prove more damaging than beneficial — at least among some independent voters that she needs to win.
The video certainly drew attention. But judging from the fierce backlash it received on social media, it was not the kind she’d hoped to generate.
Here are a few of the reactions:
Some commenters noted the disdainful expression on Nimco’s face:
And finally:
Last weekend, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s over-the-top display of solidarity with the Boston Somali community triggered similar outrage on social media. The progressive mayor said, “You cannot talk about any achievement that the city of Boston has had in safety, jobs, and economic development, in education, without talking about the Somali community that has lifted our city up.”
At least she didn’t wear a hijab.
Elizabeth writes commentary for Legal Insurrection and The Washington Examiner. She is an academy fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Please follow Elizabeth on X or LinkedIn.
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