Tipsheet

Ilhan Omar Was Asked About Her Financial Scandal. She Didn't Handle It Well.

Jeff Charles
Jeff Charles  |  April 22, 2026 11:00 AM

Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) had a mini-meltdown on Tuesday when a reporter confronted her at the Capitol building about her campaign finance scandal.

LindellTV reporter Alison Steinberg approached the lawmaker near an elevator in the building. “The last time I spoke to you, you said that I was stupid for asking you about your financial disclosures, but there’s some discrepancies on there. Would you like to explain that?” Steinberg asked. “How did you make such a big mistake?”

“You are absolutely stupid for asking me anything,” Omar said, smiling.

“Well, what about the American people who are wondering how you made such a big mistake?” Steinberg pressed.

“I have explained to the American people,” Omar said. “I have given them the explanation.”

“Do you want to tell our viewers? Because they’re—”

Omar interjected, “I don’t want to tell you jack sh*t, how about that?”

There’s a reason why Omar doesn’t want to talk about the issue. CBS News reported that she amended a filing that previously said companies co-owned by her husband were worth between $6 and $30 million. But the new version placed the couple’s assets between $18,004 and $95,000.”

Omar’s office blamed the gap on an accounting error. But this development has prompted calls from Republicans for more scrutiny on the lawmaker’s finances.

The congresswoman has come under fire on multiple occasions over her financial disclosures and campaign finance issues. The issue began in 2019 when the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board ruled that she used campaign money for out-of-state travel and tax-related help. She was ordered to repay about $3,500 to her campaign committee and at $500 civil penalty.