The White House has thrown a sharp jab at Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., with a photo that’s stirring up plenty of chatter on social media.

On Monday, the White House posted an image on X of President Donald Trump waving goodbye from a McDonald’s drive-thru window, a direct response to a video of Omar dismissing deportation threats, as reported by Fox News. The photo, taken during a 2024 campaign stop in Pennsylvania, shows Trump at a fry station, adding a layer of mockery to the gesture.

Omar, in the video clip from "The Dean Obeidallah Show" in October, shrugged off the idea of being deported with a casual defiance. “I have no worry, I don’t know how they’d take away my citizenship and like deport me,” she said, suggesting the threat holds no weight for her now as a grown woman with grown children.

History of Hostility with Trump

That dismissal might sound bold, but it’s worth asking if such flippancy serves her constituents or just fuels personal battles. Omar’s cavalier attitude toward a serious policy discussion like citizenship and deportation risks alienating those who see these issues as central to national identity.

The feud with Trump isn’t new; it stretches back to his first term when he publicly criticized Omar and other progressive lawmakers known as “The Squad.” He’s repeatedly suggested they return to their countries of origin, a stance that’s drawn both fierce support and sharp rebuke.

More recently, on Nov. 1, Trump posted on Truth Social, “She should go back!” alongside a video of Omar speaking Somali. It’s a refrain that keeps the spotlight on her background rather than her legislative record, a tactic that cuts through nuanced debate with a blunt edge.

Omar’s Background and Rise to Power

Omar’s story begins in Somalia, where her family fled during the civil war in 1991, eventually finding refuge in a Kenyan camp before being granted asylum in the U.S. in 1995. They settled in Arlington, Virginia, moved to Minneapolis in 1997, and she became a U.S. citizen in 2000.

Elected to Congress in 2018, Omar made history as the first Somali-American woman and one of the first Muslim women in the House, after a stint in Minnesota’s state legislature. Her ascent is undeniably significant, though her rhetoric often sparks as much division as inspiration.

Trump hasn’t let up, even claiming in September to have spoken with Somalia’s leader, who allegedly declined to take her back. “He said, ‘I don’t want her,’” Trump recounted to reporters, a story Omar quickly labeled as fabricated.

Sharp Words and Questionable Claims

Omar didn’t hold back, firing off a retort that questioned Trump’s honesty. “From denying Somalia had a president to making up a story, President Trump is a lying buffoon,” she declared, aiming to discredit his narrative with a personal jab.

Yet, dismissing Trump as merely a buffoon sidesteps the larger issue of why these deportation taunts resonate with so many. It’s not just about personal spats; it’s about a fundamental clash over what loyalty to America means in an era of globalized identities.

Back in 2019, Omar accused Trump of “stoking white nationalism” after he criticized her and her colleagues for serving in Congress while opposing what she called his “hate-filled agenda.” That charge, while emotionally potent, often drowns out any chance for real dialogue on policy disagreements.

A Deeper Divide on Display

This latest White House jab with the McDonald’s photo isn’t just a meme; it’s a symbol of a broader cultural and political rift. While Omar’s defenders see it as bullying, others view it as a deserved pushback against a lawmaker who seems to relish provoking traditional values.

Trump’s repeated calls for Omar to “go back” tap into a frustration felt by many who question whether elected officials prioritize American interests over foreign ties. It’s a debate that deserves more than snarky images or dismissive quips from either side.

Ultimately, this feud reflects a nation wrestling with identity, citizenship, and the boundaries of dissent. Both Omar and Trump play to their bases, but the rest of us are left wondering if either side will ever seek common ground over cheap shots and soundbites.