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Trump urges Minnesotans to fight back against Somali immigrants in social media post

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 8 outlets across the spectrum.

9 articles in total, 1 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday urging Minnesotans to “fight back” against Somali immigrants. In the post he wrote that the state “is being taken over by Somali Immigrants” and cited “Violence, Murder, and Mayhem.” The Washington Examiner reports he vowed federal backup if the state needs it, and Truthout reports he suggested federal agents would help. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the post “deranged,” according to The Independent. Whether the post amounts to incitement is disputed. NBC News says the post continues Trump’s long-running attacks on Somalis.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday urging Minnesotans to fight back against Somali immigrants.

    Across the spectrumReported byFar Left2Left2Center2Right1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    HuffPost, Truthout
    Left
    NBC News, The Independent
    Center
    Newsweek, The Hill
    Right
    Washington Examiner
    Far Right
    Just the News, The Western Journal

  2. In the post Trump wrote that Minnesota is being taken over by Somali immigrants and that there is violence, murder and mayhem in the state.

    Reported byFar Left1Center1Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    Truthout
    Center
    The Hill
    Right
    Washington Examiner

  3. Trump vowed federal backup for Minnesota if the state needs it, according to reports.

    Reported byFar Left1Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    Truthout
    Right
    Washington Examiner

  4. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the post deranged.

    One outletThe Independent· Left

  5. Trump has long railed against Gov. Tim Walz.

    One outletNewsweek· Center

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • Whether the post incites violence or race war against Somalis

    Left coverage describes the post as openly inciting race war. Right coverage presents it as Trump’s call for Minnesotans to resist violence he says Somalis are causing and notes his vow of federal backup.

  • Whether Somali immigrants are behind violence and crime in Minnesota

    Trump’s claim, repeated in the post, is presented by right-side coverage as a description of conditions in the state. Left coverage treats the post as an attack on the Somali community rather than a description of facts.

How each side tells it

Compare views

  • the left

    4 outlets

    Left headlines frame the post as incitement or hate, with the far-left outlets calling it openly inciting race war or unconscionable hate, while the mainstream left headlines focus on the attacks on Somalis and Walz’s rebuke.

    Trump Loaded verb“Openly Incites Race War”Calling the post incitement of race war states a contested conclusion as fact, when the headline could describe the post’s content directly.More neutral: Trump Urges Minnesotans to Fight Back Against SomalisDisagree with this highlight?, Calling for “Fight” Against Somalis in Minnesota
    TruthoutFar LeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    2 outlets

    Center headlines lead with Trump’s own words, quoting the fight back call directly, and Newsweek links the post to an alleged ISIS plot, where the left and right headlines lead with characterization or the vow of backup.

    Trump says Minnesotans should 'fight back' against Somali immigrants
    The HillCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    2 outlets · 1 opinion

    Right headlines quote the post and highlight Trump’s vow of federal backup, while the far-right Western Journal opinion piece ties criminality to the Somali community, a stronger claim than the news headlines make, mirroring the left’s race-war framing.

    Trump tells Minnesotans to ‘fight back’ against Somali immigrants, vows federal backup
    Washington ExaminerRightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left10

    beyond incendiaryshocking attackDrums UpUnconscionable Hate

  • Center1

    railed against

  • Right4

    slamminggo together like bananas and ricerampant fraud and violencebad actors

In the outlets’ own words

  • Loaded verb

    railed againstMore neutral: criticized

    The verb describes angry, sustained attack, which adds judgement to a plain report that Trump criticized the governor.

    Trump has long railed against the state's governor, Tim Walz, with his administration carrying out widespread…

    Used byNewsweek (Center)

  • Loaded verb

    slammingMore neutral: criticizing

    The verb adds force and judgement to what is a plain statement of criticism.

    You have been robbed, and abandoned by your State Government,” Trump wrote before slamming Gov.

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    beyond incendiaryMore neutral: harsh

    Incendiary is a judgement about the post’s effect rather than a neutral description of what it said.

    The president went beyond incendiary in a shocking attack.

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    shocking attackMore neutral: post

    Shocking adds drama that the description of the post itself does not need.

    The president went beyond incendiary in a shocking attack.

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

Show 11 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded verb

    Drums UpMore neutral: Posts

    Drums up suggests deliberately stirring up hatred, which the supplied text does not establish as Trump’s intent.

    Trump Drums Up Unconscionable Hate In Message To Minnesotans

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    Unconscionable HateMore neutral: Message Urging Action Against Somali Immigrants

    Calling the message unconscionable hate is a moral verdict rather than a description of the post.

    Trump Drums Up Unconscionable Hate In Message To Minnesotans

    Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

  • Dehumanizing label

    go together like bananas and riceMore neutral: Trump’s post cites violence in Minnesota

    The line ties an entire ethnic community to criminality with a stereotype, before any facts are set out.

    It’s almost like criminality and the Somali community in Minnesota go together like bananas and rice.

    Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    rampant fraud and violenceMore neutral: fraud and violence

    Rampant presents the level of fraud and violence as settled and exaggerated beyond the reported facts.

    Almost a year after rampant fraud and violence led to a crackdown against the immigrant community in the Twin Cities area,…

    Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    bad actorsMore neutral: people accused of crimes

    The term pre-judges the people described as offenders without establishing who they are.

    …led to a crackdown against the immigrant community in the Twin Cities area, the bad actors haven’t exactly cooled their heels — and President Donald Trump is calling on the…

    Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    lashes outMore neutral: responds

    Lashes out suggests an emotional outburst rather than a political response.

    Governor Tim Walz calls the president’s latest post ‘deranged’ as he lashes out in the face of declining polls

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Vague attribution

    has been accused ofMore neutral: Walz and critics say

    The accusers are not named, which leaves the claim without a clear source.

    Donald Trump has been accused of invoking a call to violence against Somali immigrants he claims have “taken…

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    openly inciting race warMore neutral: in a post that some see as a call for violence against Somalis

    Describing the post as openly inciting race war presents a contested judgement as fact in the outlet’s own voice.

    …in Minnesota to “fight” against Somali immigrants in the state on Thursday, openly inciting race war in some of his most violent rhetoric against Somalis yet.

    Used byTruthout (Far Left)

  • Sensational language

    most violent rhetoricMore neutral: some of his sharpest rhetoric against Somalis

    Ranking the post among the most violent statements uses an intensifier that is a judgement rather than a measured description.

    …immigrants in the state on Thursday, openly inciting race war in some of his most violent rhetoric against Somalis yet.

    Used byTruthout (Far Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    invoking white supremacist rhetoricMore neutral: using language about Somali immigrants that critics say is racially charged

    Labeling the post’s language white supremacist is a characterization of motive that the excerpt does not support with a quotation.

    …Trump said that Somali immigrants are “tak[ing] over” Minnesota, invoking white supremacist rhetoric and calling on others in the state to “fight back.

    Used byTruthout (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    Openly Incites Race WarMore neutral: Trump Urges Minnesotans to Fight Back Against Somalis

    Calling the post incitement of race war states a contested conclusion as fact, when the headline could describe the post’s content directly.

    Trump Openly Incites Race War, Calling for “Fight” Against Somalis in Minnesota

    Used byTruthout (Far Left)

Words quoted from someone else (2)Hide the quoted words

Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.

  • Loaded modifier

    Quoted

    derangedMore neutral: critical

    Deranged is a strong insult, even though it is attributed to Walz.

    Governor Tim Walz calls the president’s latest post ‘deranged’ as he lashes out in the face of declining polls

    Quoted byThe Independent (Left)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    race warMore neutral: stoking racial tensions

    The phrase is a charge made by critics, and the headline gives it prominence as a claim about Trump’s intent.

    Trump accused of trying to start a ‘race war’ with threats to Somali communities in Minnesota

    Quoted byThe Independent (Left)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

4 outlets

Leads with

  • race war and incitement
  • hate directed at Somalis
  • Walz’s criticism of the post

Leaves out

  • Trump’s claims of fraud in Minnesota
  • the earlier crackdown in Minneapolis

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 4 headlines from the leftHide the headlines
  • TruthoutFar Left

    Trump Loaded verb“Openly Incites Race War”Calling the post incitement of race war states a contested conclusion as fact, when the headline could describe the post’s content directly.More neutral: Trump Urges Minnesotans to Fight Back Against SomalisDisagree with this highlight?, Calling for “Fight” Against Somalis in Minnesota

    The president suggested that he would send federal agents to aid with attacks on the Somali community.

    Read at Truthout (opens in a new tab)
  • The IndependentLeft

    Trump accused of trying to start a ‘Sensational language“race war”The phrase is a charge made by critics, and the headline gives it prominence as a claim about Trump’s intent.More neutral: stoking racial tensionsThis appears inside a quotation. The outlet is reporting someone else’s words.Disagree with this highlight?’ with threats to Somali communities in Minnesota

    Governor Tim Walz calls the president’s latest post ‘Loaded modifier“deranged”Deranged is a strong insult, even though it is attributed to Walz.More neutral: criticalThis appears inside a quotation. The outlet is reporting someone else’s words.Disagree with this highlight?’ as he Loaded verb“lashes out”Lashes out suggests an emotional outburst rather than a political response.More neutral: respondsDisagree with this highlight? in the face of declining polls

    Read at The Independent (opens in a new tab)
  • HuffPostFar LeftReuters report

    Trump Loaded verb“Drums Up”Drums up suggests deliberately stirring up hatred, which the supplied text does not establish as Trump’s intent.More neutral: PostsDisagree with this highlight? Loaded modifier“Unconscionable Hate”Calling the message unconscionable hate is a moral verdict rather than a description of the post.More neutral: Message Urging Action Against Somali ImmigrantsDisagree with this highlight? In Message To Minnesotans

    The president went Loaded modifier“beyond incendiary”Incendiary is a judgement about the post’s effect rather than a neutral description of what it said.More neutral: harshDisagree with this highlight? in a Sensational language“shocking attack”Shocking adds drama that the description of the post itself does not need.More neutral: postDisagree with this highlight?.

    Read at HuffPost (opens in a new tab)
  • NBC NewsLeft

    Trump urges Minnesotans to ‘fight back’ against Somali immigrants

    President Donald Trump on Thursday continued his long-running attacks on Somalis by urging Minnesotans to “fight back” against the Somali community in the state.

    Read at NBC News (opens in a new tab)

From the center

2 outlets

Leads with

  • direct quotes of the Truth Social post
  • the alleged ISIS plot
  • Trump’s clash with Walz

Leaves out

  • Walz’s response calling the post deranged

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 2 headlines from the centerHide the headlines
  • The HillCenter

    Trump says Minnesotans should 'fight back' against Somali immigrants

    President Trump said Thursday that Minnesotans should “fight back” against Somali immigrants following previous attacks against the group. “The once Great State of Minnesota is being taken over by Somali Immigrants. …

    Read at The Hill (opens in a new tab)
  • NewsweekCenter

    Trump Tells Minnesota to 'Fight' Somali Immigrants Amid Alleged ISIS Plot

    Trump has long Loaded verb“railed against”The verb describes angry, sustained attack, which adds judgement to a plain report that Trump criticized the governor.More neutral: criticizedDisagree with this highlight? the state's governor, Tim Walz, with his administration carrying out widespread immigration raids.

    Read at Newsweek (opens in a new tab)

From the right

2 outlets · 1 opinion

Leads with

  • Trump’s warnings of violence and murder
  • federal backup for Minnesota
  • fraud and the earlier crackdown

Leaves out

  • Walz’s description of the post as deranged
  • critics’ race-war characterization

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 3 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • Washington ExaminerRight

    Trump tells Minnesotans to ‘fight back’ against Somali immigrants, vows federal backup

    President Donald Trump told Minnesotans to “fight back” against Somali immigrants in his latest Truth Social post on Thursday while vowing to provide federal backup if the state needs it. “The once Great State of Minnesota is being taken over by Somali Immigrants. …

    Read at Washington Examiner (opens in a new tab)
  • Just the NewsFar Right

    Trump urges Minnesota to 'fight back' against Somali migrants

    Minneapolis, Minn., was the site of a major immigration crackdown earlier this year that saw the deaths of two anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstrators.

    Read at Just the News (opens in a new tab)
  • The Western JournalFar RightOpinion

    Trump Urges Minnesotans to 'Fight Back' Against Somali 'Violence, Murder, and Mayhem'

    It’s almost like criminality and the Somali community in Minnesota Dehumanizing label“go together like bananas and rice”The line ties an entire ethnic community to criminality with a stereotype, before any facts are set out.More neutral: Trump’s post cites violence in MinnesotaDisagree with this highlight?. You know? Almost a year after rampant fraud and violence led to a crackdown

    Read at The Western Journal (opens in a new tab)

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    4 hr 48 min later

    Its first report, Oct 8, 10:10 PM EDT

  • Center

    First to report

    Newsweek, Oct 8, 5:22 PM EDT

  • Right

    23 min later

    Its first report, Oct 8, 5:45 PM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. NewsweekCenterOct 8, 5:22 PM EDT
  2. Washington ExaminerRightOct 8, 5:45 PM EDT
  3. The HillCenterOct 8, 9:39 PM EDT
  4. NBC NewsLeftOct 8, 10:10 PM EDT
  5. HuffPostFar LeftOct 9, 9:25 AM EDT
  6. The IndependentLeftOct 9, 10:51 AM EDT
  7. TruthoutFar LeftOct 9, 1:25 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out. Just the News gave only a date, so it is not placed.

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