Somalia’s prime minister said it was “better not to respond” a day after President Donald Trump described Somali immigrants as “garbage” during a White House cabinet meeting on Dec. 2, 2025. The comment, and Mr. Trump’s additional remark that Somalia “stinks,” prompted anger among some Somalis and questions about the government’s public stance. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre made his brief response at an innovation summit in Mogadishu, remarks captured by local broadcaster Shabelle TV. The episode comes as Somalia—home to about 19 million people—continues to rely on U.S. security cooperation and received roughly $128 million in U.S. support in fiscal 2025.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump called Somali immigrants “garbage” and said Somalia “stinks” during a White House cabinet meeting on Dec. 2, 2025.
- Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre answered questions at a Mogadishu summit on Dec. 3, 2025, saying “sometimes it’s better not to respond,” according to Shabelle TV.
- Somalia’s population is about 19 million, and the United States provided approximately $128 million in assistance to Somalia in fiscal year 2025.
- Somalia is a key partner in countering the Al Shabab insurgency, a central element of U.S.-Somalia security relations.
- Some residents in Mogadishu publicly criticized Somali leaders for not issuing a stronger condemnation of Mr. Trump’s remarks.
Background
Somalia has long been a focal point for international counterterrorism efforts in the Horn of Africa. For more than a decade, U.S. military and intelligence cooperation has aimed to degrade Al Shabab, the Islamist group that controls territory and carries out attacks inside Somalia and the region. That security partnership has persisted despite periodic tensions over governance and aid delivery.
In recent years Washington cut or reprioritized some foreign assistance budgets, yet continued assistance and capacity-building programs remained important to Mogadishu. The $128 million figure for fiscal 2025 reflects both humanitarian and stabilization funding tied to security and governance objectives. Somali leaders balance domestic political pressures with the need to maintain relationships with donors and security partners.
Main Event
On Dec. 2, 2025, during a White House cabinet session, President Trump made derogatory remarks about Somali immigrants, calling them “garbage” and saying Somalia “stinks.” The comments were reported by major U.S. outlets and relayed to audiences in Somalia the following day. The language immediately drew attention from Somali civil society and ordinary citizens who viewed it as part of a pattern of disrespect toward African countries.
The next day, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre was asked about the remarks while speaking at an innovation summit in Mogadishu. According to video released by Shabelle TV, Mr. Barre replied that officials are not the only targets of Mr. Trump’s insults and that “sometimes it’s better not to respond.” His statement was short and emphasized restraint rather than retaliation.
At street level in Mogadishu, reactions were mixed. Some residents welcomed a measured governmental approach intended to preserve diplomatic channels; others, including traders and activists, demanded a firmer rebuke. A Mogadishu trader asked why national leaders had not publicly defended Somali dignity, reflecting pressure on officials to respond to insults directed at citizens abroad.
Analysis & Implications
Diplomatically, a muted official response can be strategic. Somalia depends on international security cooperation to sustain gains against Al Shabab; a harsh public confrontation risks complicating discreet lines of assistance or military-to-military contacts. The prime minister’s call for restraint appears aimed at protecting those institutional ties while avoiding escalation.
Politically, however, silence carries domestic costs. Public frustration at perceived passivity can erode trust in leaders who are seen as failing to defend national honor. That dynamic may increase pressure on Somalia’s government to issue stronger statements or seek multilateral avenues for protest, such as appeals through the African Union or the United Nations.
Economically, direct short-term consequences are uncertain. The U.S. provided about $128 million to Somalia in fiscal 2025, mixing humanitarian, development and stabilization funding. Any change in aid patterns would depend on formal policy decisions rather than offhand remarks, so immediate budgetary shifts remain unlikely but politically possible if tensions deepen.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Somalia population (approx.) | 19 million |
| U.S. assistance to Somalia (FY2025) | $128 million |
The table above highlights two central data points in this story: Somalia’s population and the U.S. assistance level for fiscal 2025. Those figures frame why comments from U.S. officials are closely watched in Mogadishu, given the country’s small population and dependency on external aid and security cooperation.
Reactions & Quotes
“Sometimes it’s better not to respond.”
Hamza Abdi Barre, Prime Minister of Somalia
Prime Minister Barre’s brief remark was delivered in a public forum and recorded by local media. It signaled a preference for restraint rather than a formal diplomatic protest.
“Why have you kept your mouth shut about Trump’s hate speech toward our people?”
Abdullahi Omar, 35, trader in Mogadishu
Voices from Mogadishu’s markets and streets called for stronger defense of national dignity, illustrating public frustration with a quiet official line.
“We’re going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country.”
President Donald J. Trump (White House cabinet meeting)
The White House cabinet remark, reported by multiple outlets, is the trigger for the diplomatic and domestic reactions described above.
Unconfirmed
- Whether the Somali government privately sought a formal U.S. clarification or apology has not been publicly confirmed.
- Any immediate shifts in U.S. bilateral assistance tied directly to the remarks remain unconfirmed and would require official policy notices.
Bottom Line
The episode underscores a tension faced by Somali policymakers: protecting national dignity in the face of insulting rhetoric while preserving fragile but vital security and aid relationships. Prime Minister Barre opted for restraint, a choice likely informed by pragmatic assessments of Somalia’s dependence on external partners to sustain gains against Al Shabab.
For Somalis at home and in the diaspora, the incident may deepen expectations that leaders defend national honor more visibly. Internationally, a single episode of insults is unlikely to upend formal ties immediately, but repeated incidents could prompt coordinated diplomatic responses from Somalia and its partners if domestic pressure intensifies.
Sources
- The New York Times (international news media; original reporting)
- Shabelle TV / Shabelle Media (local Somali broadcaster; video of prime minister’s remarks)