Ilhan Omar Marry Her Brother: Unproven Allegation Resurfaces in 2025 Political Firestorm and 2026 Social Media
Feb. 25, 2026 — Washington, D.C. — The unproven allegation that U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) married her brother, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, in 2009 for immigration fraud—commonly referred to as the “ilhan omar marry her brother” claim—resurfaced prominently in late 2025 amid comments by President Donald Trump and threats of investigation, continuing to echo on social media as of February 24, 2026.
Omar legally married Elmi, a British citizen, in Minnesota while in a religious relationship with Ahmed Hirsi, divorcing Elmi in 2017. The claim originated around 2016-2019 from scrutiny of her marital history but lacks conclusive evidence such as DNA or official sibling records, according to fact-checkers.
Trump’s Revived Claims
President Trump reignited the “ilhan omar marry her brother” controversy at a Pennsylvania rally, stating, “She married her brother in order to get in, right … she married her brother to get in, therefore she’s here illegally,” as fact-checked by Al Jazeera. Trump also referenced it during a White House event, linking it to broader Somali community issues.
Border czar Tom Homan announced federal investigators were reviewing records for potential immigration fraud tied to the allegation, suggesting fraud likely occurred but noting possible statute of limitations issues.
Omar’s Response and Republican Pushback
On December 15, 2025, Omar confronted questions in congressional halls, responding to the “ilhan omar marry her brother” probe:
“I have no response because I don’t know what they’ll be investigating.”
“Absolutely not” (to whether investigators would find anything).
“Because they’re sick!” (explaining Republican persistence).
as reported by Fox News and New York Post. Sen. Ted Cruz warned of potential penalties including prison, fines, and deportation if proven.
Omar’s ex-husband Ahmed Hirsi posted from South Africa amid the furor, per KOMO News.
Fact-Checks and Betting Markets
PolitiFact deemed the “ilhan omar marry her brother” claim unproven, citing circumstantial evidence like a deleted Instagram post calling Omar’s child a “niece” and shared addresses, but no definitive sibling link. Omar has denied it as “disgusting lies” and stated she has no brother by that name.
A Polymarket prediction market resolved “No” by December 31, 2025, with 0% probability for yes after $69,413 in volume.
Ongoing Social Media Amplification
As of February 24, 2026, an X post by @Milajoy sharing the 2009 marriage certificate garnered over 16,000 likes, labeling Omar an “incestuous SICKO” who married her “full blood brother” to skirt laws, demanding denaturalization.
The Minnesota House records from 2019 detail Omar’s divorces, fueling initial questions.
