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Right-wing media attempt to justify baseless conspiracy theories that the attack on Ilhan Omar was staged

Podcaster Tim Pool admitted it “doesn't matter” if it wasn't staged because "the right would never believe her”

Written by Gideon Taaffe & Reed McMaster

Published

Right-wing media reacted to an attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) by a man who sprayed a liquid at her during a January 27 town hall event by suggesting the attack was “suspicious” and “staged.”

President Donald Trump stoked conspiracy theories about the attack, telling ABC News that Omar “probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.” Right-wing media figures spread similar claims, suggesting it is “perfectly reasonable” to question whether Omar's assault was “fake” or “staged.”

  • Rep. Ilhan Omar, a long-time target of right-wing media and Trump’s ire, was attacked by a man with an alleged history of violent rhetoric and “right-wing extremist” views

    • Omar was attacked during a town hall on January 27 by a man who sprayed a liquid at her. Preliminary reports suggest the liquid was apple cider vinegar. The man was tackled and arrested, and Omar continued with the town hall. She later posted on social media, “I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work. I don’t let bullies win. Grateful to my incredible constituents who rallied behind me. Minnesota strong.” [The Hill, 1/27/26; Forbes, 1/28/26]
    • The alleged attacker’s brother spoke to The Independent, calling him a “right-wing extremist” with a long-standing hatred of Somalis. He told The Independent, “He has had a hatred of the Somali community for probably 20 years,” adding, “There’s a reason I don’t talk to him. … He’s got a lot of anger, I have no idea where it comes from. He’s always been that way. In and out of treatment since he was a kid.” [The Independent, 1/28/26]
    • According to an affidavit filed with the U.S. District Court of Minnesota, the alleged attacker reportedly told an associate years earlier, “Somebody should kill that bitch,” while referring to Omar. [BlueSky, 1/29/26; U.S. District Court of Minnesota, United States of America v. Anthony James Kazmierczak, Affidavit in Support of Criminal Complaint, 1/28/26]
    • Asked about the incident by an ABC News reporter, Trump said Omar “probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.” He also said he had not seen the video of the attack, adding, “I don't think about her. I think she's a fraud.” [ABC News, 1/28/26]
    • Omar has been the target of right-wing media attacks for years, with many pundits suggesting she should return to Somalia. Late Fox News host Lou Dobbs questioned, “Who is she representing? Because it isn't America,” and Fox News contributor Ben Domenech suggested Omar buy a ticket to Somalia. Additionally, Trump ally and self-proclaimed “proud Islamophobe” Laura Loomer has called for Omar to “leave my country” and accused Omar of “pushing for another 9/11.” [Media Matters, 4/17/19, 6/17/25, 8/14/24]
    • Trump recently called for an investigation into Omar’s finances after a Fox News host suggested her net worth had increased suspiciously. The representative’s financial disclosure revealed that her net worth increased to $30 million after her marriage to an entrepreneur and political consultant whose assets were estimated to range up to that figure.Trump baselessly claimed, “There is no way such wealth could have been accumulated, legally, while being paid the salary of a politician.” [Media Matters, 1/23/26]

  • Right-wing media figures claimed the attack was “fake” or “staged” — or suggested people had a reason to believe it was

    • Daily Wire host Matt Walsh claimed it’s “a perfectly reasonable thing” to think Omar’s assault was staged. He said, “I think that’s a perfectly reasonable thing to worry about.” He then added, “Leftists are constantly using hoaxes. We know that. And we also know that Somalis love to scam and they love to use deception. … In Ilhan’s case, well she’s a Somali and a leftist, so the pattern points in a certain direction.” He then offered a caveat: “Typically if leftists are going to fake a hate crime or fake an attack of this type — which they do all the time — but they do it in a way that, where the culprit is never seen.” [The Daily Wire, The Matt Walsh Show, 1/28/26]
    • Right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson said there's something “very suspicious” about the attack. Johnson claimed it was “extremely strange” that Omar decided to go back to giving her speech. [YouTube, The Benny Show, 1/28/26]
    • Townhall managing editor Matt Vespa wrote a column justifying people who questioned if the attack was fake, writing, “There are some who are suggesting that this could be another fake attack incident, a hoax worthy of Jussie Smollett’s talents.” Vespa linked to several social media posts alleging the incident was faked, adding, “I can see how there could be questions.” [Townhall, 1/28/26]
    • Right-wing podcaster Tim Pool claimed “it doesn’t matter” if the attack was real or not because “the right would never believe her.” He claimed, “The funny thing is no one believes her anyway. The right would never believe her. It doesn't matter. And I'm going to say what I always say, guys. It doesn't matter if it's true or not.” [YouTube, Timcast, 1/28/26]
    • The Daily Caller published an opinion piece titled “Not Many Believe Ilhan Omar And She Only Has Herself To Blame.” The piece justified online speculation from right-wing figures that the attack was fake. [The Daily Caller, 1/28/26]
    • The Independent reported that Laura Loomer reacted to the attack by writing, “Nobody cares about your staged victim propaganda.” Loomer continued, “Please go back to Somalia. We are getting really tired of people like you taking up space in our country.” [The Independent, 1/28/26]
    • The Independent also noted right-wing influencer Ian Miles Cheong’s claim that “nothing about the ‘attack’ on Ilhan Omar is real.” Cheong wrote, “Look at how Ilhan Omar looks at the guy who sprayed her and gives him a little nod right before he springs into action,” as supposed evidence. [The Independent, 1/28/26]
    • On his live show, right-wing podcaster Jeremy Hambly, known online as The Quartering, claimed, “She knew that it was a harmless liquid, in my opinion, because of the way she reacted.” He continued, “The reason I’m a 100% convinced she knew is because this chick is Muslim. What do they do in Muslim countries? Acid attacks. She was never even concerned for a millisecond about what was sprayed on her.” [Rumble, The Quartering, 1/28/26; IMDb, accessed 1/29/26]
    • Salem News host Mike Gallagher remarked that he’s “never seen such a pushback” on social media, adding, “Nobody believes it’s legit.” He continued, “It’s like Jussie Smollett 2.0, totally staged, a hoax. That’s what people are screaming on social media. And I have to admit, I’ve got a lot of questions. But the problem is, if it’s legit, it needs to be roundly condemned.” [Salem News Channel, The Mike Gallagher Show, 1/28/26]
    • Newsmax host Rob Finnerty questioned, “Do you think maybe this might all be about changing the subject for old Ilhan and not really some violent attack that she was barely able to escape through with her life?” Finnerty also suggested the attacker was a leftist, saying, “We're being told that he is definitely a Republican, Trump-supporting right-winger. And we're being told that with absolutely no evidence, even though he’s got kids with blue hair, he's got an ex-wife who was an Ilhan, AOC supporter.” [Newsmax, Finnerty, 1/28/26]
    • Newsmax host Carl Higbie said, “I've got plenty of questions” about the attack on Omar and noted the attacker allegedly had a “liberal activist” ex-wife. He stated, “Now they're making Republicans out to be the bad guys for this minor incident right here, which I've plenty of questions about. Apparently, this guy's wife is some big liberal activist — or ex-wife I should say.” [Newsmax, Carl Higbie Frontline, 1/28/26]