U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar has sharply criticized President Donald Trump for remarks he made about Somalia during a television interview, escalating tensions between the two politicians.

Trump claimed Tuesday night on Fox Business that Somali immigrants were harming Minnesota and referred to Omar as a “fake congresswoman.” He did not explain what he meant with the remark.

In response, Omar, who was born in Somalia and moved to the United States at the age of 12, expressed her dissatisfaction on the social media platform X.

“The leader of the P3dophile Protection Party is attempting to divert attention away from his name, which appears throughout the Epstein files. “At least in Somalia, p3dophiles are executed, not elected,” she wrote to her more than 2.7 million followers.

Her remarks reference the ongoing public scrutiny of Trump’s past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump’s name has appeared in numerous Epstein-related documents, despite the fact that the president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and claims to have severed ties with Epstein decades ago. The White House has yet to respond publicly to Omar’s post.

The exchange marks the latest in a series of public clashes between the Minnesota congresswoman and the president, who have frequently criticised one another over immigration, foreign policy and domestic politics.