In January 2025, Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar made a verbal slip during a press conference where she was discussing the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, legislation aimed at repealing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. While speaking about the act's historical context, she mistakenly referred to World War II as 'World War Eleven.' This moment was captured on video and later circulated widely on social media, generating significant public attention and criticism aimed at Omar. In the full video, Omar immediately corrected herself, clarifying that she meant 'World War II' and even chuckled at her error. The clip's release gained momentum in April 2026, amidst heightened scrutiny of Omar for other unrelated political controversies, including claims of immigration fraud. These unrelated issues, along with the viral video resurfacing, led to calls from some social media commentators for her deportation, despite her being a naturalized citizen. Importantly, the context of her remarks and the immediate correction were often omitted in the viral posts, which contributed to an assertion that she lacked basic historical understanding. In terms of legal implications, any attempts to deport a naturalized citizen would require going through a complex denaturalization process in U.S. courts. Despite the backlash, it is evident that Omar understands her historical references, and the verbal slip does not reflect a fundamental lack of knowledge about World War II or its significance in American history.