St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed delivered a sarcastic video apology after facing backlash for traveling to Somalia during America’s 250th anniversary Independence Day weekend, dismissing criticism as bullying and propaganda while admitting she remains in the East African nation.

Controversial Trip During Semiquincentennial Celebration

Mohamed, the first Somali American elected mayor of a U.S. city, traveled to Somalia over the Fourth of July weekend to visit family members she had not seen in ten years. Local news outlet Alpha News reported the mayor met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during her visit. Video from the presidential social media account showed Mohamed’s arrival, with reports indicating a large welcoming party waved American and Somali flags at her reception.

The timing sparked immediate controversy as Americans celebrated the nation’s 250th Independence Day. Critics questioned why the mayor chose to leave the country during this historic milestone weekend. St. Louis Park confirmed to news outlets that Mohamed’s trip is personal and privately funded, with no connection to official city business. The city declined to provide a return date, stating only that Council Member Yolanda Farris is performing mayoral duties during Mohamed’s absence.

Sarcastic Response to Backlash

Mohamed posted a video response dripping with sarcasm, mocking those who criticized her absence from American soil during the semiquincentennial celebration. She claimed she was simply using vacation time and federal holiday leave earned during her six years serving St. Louis Park residents. The mayor attempted to deflect attention by mentioning a meeting with Switzerland’s former president, complaining that no one wrote news articles about that encounter.

Throughout the video, Mohamed struggled to contain laughter while characterizing the criticism as bullying. She accused media outlets of generating clicks by mentioning Somali people, arguing that views and engagement increase whenever Somalia enters the conversation. The mayor insisted people were not falling for what she labeled propaganda designed to exploit hatred toward the Somali community.

Political Connections and Implications

Mohamed has received repeated praise from Representative Ilhan Omar, the Minnesota Democrat who has herself faced scrutiny over controversial statements regarding America and Somalia. The mayor’s defiant response and extended absence during a historic American anniversary weekend raises questions about priorities for elected officials. As the controversy continues, Mohamed remains overseas with no confirmed return date, leaving her deputy to handle municipal responsibilities during what many Americans considered one of the most significant Independence Day celebrations in the nation’s history.