President Donald Trump defended calling Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) “ret**ded” in a Thanksgiving social media post which also made racist comments about Somali immigrants living in Walz’s state.

“Somalian gangs are roving the streets looking for ‘prey’ as our wonderful people stay locked in their apartments and houses hoping against hope that they will be left alone,” Trump wrote. “The seriously ret**ded Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, does nothing, either through fear, incompetence, or both.”

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When asked about Trump’s insult, Walz told NBC’s Meet the Press last Sunday that he found the comments “damaging” and “hurtful.” He also noted that Somalian refugees began arriving in Minnesota starting in the 1990s to escape civil war.

Last Sunday, a reporter asked Trump, “You called Tim Walz what many Americans consider an offensive word. Do you stand by that claim?” Trump responded, “Absolutely. You have a problem with it?”

Reporter: You called Tim Walz what many Americans consider an offensive word. Do you stand by that claim?

Trump: Absolutely. You have a problem with it? pic.twitter.com/78XNyrptr8

— Acyn (@Acyn) November 30, 2025

The president pledged last month to end Temporary Protected Status for Somalis living in the U.S. without permanent authorization, KARE reported. The pledge would further the president’s racist campaign of mass deportation against immigrants, including those who have peacefully and productively lived in the U.S. for decades.