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Was Ilhan Omar Sworn in with Her Hand on the Quran?

As news broke that federal agents searched her home, we took a look back at the rumors we've analyzed about the Minnesota Democrat.

by Rae Deng, Sept. 20, 2018

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali woman in a gray suit and gray and yellow headscarf, speaks at a podium.

Image courtesy of Heather Diehl on Getty Images

Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota is in the national spotlight again after federal agents searched her home on Oct. 12.

Omar's opponents have long targeted her with rumors about her and her family's immigration background, which may be related to the raid.

Omar was sworn into office in 2019 as the first Somali American and one of the first two Muslim women to serve in Congress. Even before then, her opponents repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that she had married her brother. Years later, that rumor continues to circulate.

Rumors about Omar have also targeted her progressive political views. For example, after she wrote to a federal judge on behalf of a man convicted of terrorism offenses — advocating for rehabilitation over a more punitive sentence — a social media account misleadingly claimed she called for "lighter sentences" for people "caught trying to join ISIS."

Here are 18 rumors about Omar we've looked into:

By Rae Deng

Rae Deng specializes in government/politics and is based in Tacoma, Wash.

Did Ilhan Omar marry her brother? No evidence backing Mullin's claim

Sept. 19, 2026

Trump and other Republicans have also amplified this unfounded rumor about the Democratic repres ...

On the left, Nancy Mace, a white woman with graying hair. On the right, Ilhan Omar, a Black woman wearing a headscarf.

Nancy Mace posted she wanted Ilhan Omar deported for America's 250th birthday

June 17, 2026

The Somali American representative became a naturalized citizen in 2000.

This image shows Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota speaking at a press conference in January 2025.

Video shows Ilhan Omar misreading 'World War II' as 'World War 11.' Here's the full story

April 29, 2026

A 2025 verbal gaffe Omar made resurfaced in April 2026. Many posts sharing the footage omitted k ...

Was Ilhan Omar's suspected attacker on her 'payroll,' as CBS allegedly reported? Don't be fooled

Feb. 1, 2026

The claim originated from a social media account known to concoct outright false or misleading h ...

Does this image prove attack on Ilhan Omar was staged? We inspected

Jan. 30, 2026

The earliest version of the image supposedly showing Omar and her alleged attacker appeared on a ...

On the left: U.S. Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali woman in a muted yellow and purple hijab. On the right: U.S. President Donald Trump, a white man in a suit.

Trump's claim that Ilhan Omar is worth $30M requires context

Jan. 23, 2026

Omar's financial disclosures list $6 million to $30 million in total household assets based on v ...

A Black woman holds a microphone while looking forward.

Did Ilhan Omar's daughter call for 'death to the colonial empire' on Instagram?

June 17, 2025

Isra Hirsi, the daughter of the Democratic congresswoman from Minnesota, appeared to have shared ...

A Black woman looks to the left. She is wearing a black top and a headscarf with several different patterns.

Still no evidence Ilhan Omar's father committed war crimes while serving in Somali military

April 2, 2025

Nur Omar Mohamed died of COVID-19 in 2020.

No, Ilhan Omar didn't collect dead grandmother's Social Security checks

Feb. 27, 2025

The false rumor about the Minnesota congresswoman originated from the America's Last Line of Def ...

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is detained by U.S. Capitol Police Officers after participating in a sit in with activists from Center for Popular Democracy Action (CPDA) in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building on July 19, 2022.

Here's Why AOC, Omar Were Arrested — But Not Handcuffed — at Abortion-Rights Protest

July 20, 2022

Some social media users noticed lawmakers such U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Oma ...

Did Rep. Ilhan Omar Walk Out of 9/11 Memorial Service?

Sept. 12, 2019

A routine review of content labeled satire.

No, This Is Not a Photograph of Rep. Ilhan Omar

Aug. 21, 2019

A 1978 photo of an unidentified Somali military recruit was miscaptioned for political purposes.

Did U.S. Rep. Omar Say Al-Qaida Makes Her 'Proud'?

July 24, 2019

U.S. President Donald Trump has made a number of incendiary remarks attacking Ilhan Omar and oth ...

Did U.S. Rep. Omar Say She 'Hates Living in America,' Was 'Better Off' in Refugee Camp?

May 23, 2019

Principled criticism of aspects of one's life in a country is not the same as expressing hatred ...

Did Rep. Ilhan Omar Call for Lighter Sentences for Would-Be ISIS Recruits?

Jan. 28, 2019

The Minnesota Democrat sent a letter to a U.S. District Court judge in 2016. What exactly did sh ...

Did Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar Co-Sponsor a Bill to Recognize Muslim Holidays as Federal Holidays?

Jan. 16, 2019

A dubious website said the first two Muslim women elected to Congress wasted no time in trying t ...

Did Rep. Ilhan Omar Say 'White Men Should Be Put in Chains'?

Nov. 19, 2018

A widely-shared meme offered a malicious quotation attributed to the Minnesota Democrat.

Was Ilhan Omar Sworn in with Her Hand on the Quran?

Sept. 20, 2018

The Minnesota House of Representatives member used a commemorative Quran when she was ceremonial ...

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