Camilla Jessen
Trump vows “reverse migration” in controversial holiday address.
Donald Trump’s Thanksgiving address took a turn late Thursday night, prompting criticism across the political spectrum after the president used a derogatory slur and issued sweeping attacks on immigrants and political opponents.
The post came hours after renewed debate surrounding immigration and the shooting of two National Guard members near the White House earlier this week.
Incendiary language
In the message, Trump vowed to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries” and accused the U.S. of being overwhelmed by migrants he described using highly charged language.
He then targeted Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, calling him “retarded,” and attacked Representative Ilhan Omar with false and inflammatory claims about her background.
A White House spokesperson did not comment on the post, though Walz responded on X by writing, “Release the MRI results,” referencing Trump’s recent medical scan.
The comments followed Trump’s reaction to the shooting of two National Guard members. Authorities identified the suspect as Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who is now hospitalized after being shot by police.
Disputed claims
Trump blamed the incident on Biden-era immigration policies.
However, CNN reported that Lakanwal applied for asylum in 2024 and that his asylum was granted in April 2025 under the Trump administration.
When a reporter pointed this out, Trump dismissed her as “stupid” and did not address whether the approval occurred during his presidency.
Federal agencies have maintained that Afghan arrivals underwent extensive vetting.
Sweeping proposals
Trump’s post continued with warnings about “reverse migration,” pledging mass deportations, the removal of federal benefits from noncitizens and the denaturalization of individuals deemed harmful to “domestic tranquility.”
He portrayed immigration as the source of urban decay, crime and social dysfunction, and alleged—without evidence—that certain refugee groups had “taken over” parts of Minnesota.
The message ended with a pointed holiday sign-off: “HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for.”
Sources: CNN, Newsner, Truth Social posts
