A short video clip circulating widely on social media appears to show Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar referring to World War II as “World War Eleven,” after a brief verbal slip that has been shared online without context.
The clip has been reposted by numerous social media accounts and has collectively drawn millions of views. One widely circulated post from the X account Libs of TikTok, which is operated by conservative activist Chaya Raichik, has garnered more than 700,000 views on X. Other users also shared the clip with captions mocking Omar or suggesting she misunderstood Roman numerals, framing the moment as evidence of a lack of basic historical knowledge.
The Claim
In a 13‑second clip taken from a press conference, Omar said: “The last time the Alien Enemies Act was invoked, it was used to detain and deport German, Japanese, Italian immigrants during World War Eleven.”
In their post, Libs of TikTok wrote: “Ilhan Omar referred to World War II as ‘World War Eleven.’ I can’t believe this dummy is in Congress DEPORT this Somali already.”
The Facts
The video clip is authentic and originates from a January 22, 2025, press conference in Washington, D.C., where Omar and several Democratic lawmakers were speaking about the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, proposed legislation that would repeal the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
In the full, unedited video, Omar misspeaks momentarily, saying “World War Eleven,” before immediately correcting herself. Moments after, she clarified: “Oh—two, sorry.”
The context of the remarks makes clear she was referring to World War II, during which the Alien Enemies Act was used as part of the U.S. government’s justification for the detention and deportation of German, Japanese, and Italian immigrants—most notably Japanese Americans—during the war.
There is no indication Omar was confused about the historical event itself. The comment appears to be a verbal slip, not a substantive error, and was corrected in real time during the same sentence.
The viral spread of the clip comes amid heightened online attention on Omar for unrelated reasons, including renewed political claims about whether she could be deported and fresh scrutiny of her household finances.
Calls to deport Omar resurfaced after Vice President JD Vance alleged in public remarks that she had committed immigration fraud—an accusation her office has denied. As a matter of U.S. law deportation of a naturalized citizen would require a successful denaturalization process through the courts.
The Ruling
The video clip is real and accurately captures a brief verbal slip in which Omar said “World War Eleven.” However, the viral posts omit the immediate correction she made moments later and the broader context of her remarks. The full footage shows Omar clearly understood she was referring to World War II, and the clip does not support claims that she was confused about the historical event.
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