Ever since becoming one of the first Muslim women to be elected to Congress—an honor she shares with fellow Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan—Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota found herself a favorite target of President Donald Trump, his supporters, Evangelical Christians and other assorted bigots and conspiracy theorists.
But just what is it about Omar that they love to hate?
The Democrat thinks she knows and shared it with her followers on Twitter stating:
"I am Hijabi, Muslim, Black, Foreign born, Refugee and Somali."
But Canadian born Republican Senator Rafael "Ted" Cruz thought Omar forgot one of the things that easily triggers "conservatives, right wing bloggers, anti-Muslim bigots, tinfoil conspiracy theorists, birthers, "pay me a $ to bash Muslims" fraudsters, pro-occupation groups and xenophobes."
Sharing her post, Texas Senator Cruz added American to her list of triggering qualities.
Omar asked Cruz why he thought her status as a naturalized US citizen was triggering for people like himself.
However people thought Cruz's response made her point better than her own post.
She listed a bunch of things that makes reactionaries like you lose their minds, Ted. And you took the bait. Way to go, super genius.
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) February 24, 2020
She's not wrong pic.twitter.com/s1yb9YBH3v
— Kelly Fischer (@FischKelly) February 24, 2020
You have a deep seeded problem sir.
— Steward Beckham (@iTweetyNerd) February 24, 2020
She was right about triggering conservatives
— Political Observer (@PoliticalServer) February 24, 2020
American doesn't trigger...that's her point
Y'all hate her for what she did list
— SavMom (@CJTS7006) February 24, 2020
I cannot believe people fall for your disingenuous posturing. By the way, this is the same originating sentiment as Trump's birtherism. pic.twitter.com/HlyjJKPrU8
— Sharky 🦈 (@FailShark) February 24, 2020
Of course, Omar's post triggered responses from plenty of the other characters on her list like conspiracy theorists and other liars.
Like all members of the House of Representatives, Omar is up for reelection in 2020. While the hate is strong and the lies and propaganda are plentiful, the only opinions that will matter in November are her constituents in Minnesota's 5th congressional district.
Omar's book This Is What America Looks Like: My Journey from Refugee to Congresswoman is available for pre-order here.
@ElizLanders/X