U.S. Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has once again found herself at the center of a political controversy after publicly addressing longstanding allegations that her former husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, is actually her biological brother.

The Minnesota lawmaker responded to the accusations during an October 21, 2026, interview with Chris Hayes on MS NOW, where she dismissed the claims as conspiracy theories that have followed her political career for years.

However, one particular response during the interview has attracted renewed public attention.

When Hayes questioned whether there was any truth to allegations that she was related to her former husband, Omar replied, “Not to my knowledge.”

Her response quickly became a talking point among political commentators, with critics questioning her choice of words while supporters maintained that she had repeatedly rejected the allegations.

Omar explained that the controversy originated from a Somali online platform before spreading through conservative political circles in Minnesota.

According to the congresswoman, individuals she does not recognize allegedly claimed she had introduced Elmi as her brother.

She described those allegations as “insane” and maintained that the story was built on misinformation.

The controversy surrounding her previous marriage has persisted for nearly a decade. Omar legally married Elmi in 2009, and their divorce was finalized in 2017.

Political opponents have repeatedly alleged that the marriage was arranged to facilitate immigration benefits. However, the accusation that Elmi is her biological brother has never been established through publicly verified evidence.

Her latest comments come amid heightened scrutiny following an October 12 federal search of her Washington, D.C., residence as part of an immigration-related investigation.

Federal investigators seized several items during the operation, while Omar and her attorneys condemned the search as politically motivated.

The congresswoman has maintained that she committed no immigration fraud and has accused President Donald Trump and his allies of attempting to intimidate her through government investigations.

Despite the renewed controversy, Omar expressed confidence that she would ultimately be cleared of wrongdoing.

The latest interview has once again placed her personal history under the national spotlight, raising fresh political debate over allegations that remain unproven.

For now, Omar continues to reject the claims as the federal investigation and political controversy surrounding her unfold.