MINNEAPOLIS - Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has addressed a right-wing conspiracy theory claiming that the newly adopted state flag resembles the Somali national flag. The theory emerged after the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission chose a new flag design, replacing the previous one deemed racist and unimpressive by historians and vexillologists.

The selected design features a "conceptual" shape of Minnesota in dark blue, with the rest of the flag in light blue. Additionally, an eight-pointed star, pointing north, adorns the shape of the state.

However, a design that did not make the final cut ended up going viral due to the conspiracy theory targeting Rep. Omar. According to the theory, the resemblance between the proposed flag design and the Somali national flag was seen as evidence that the state had been "conquered" by Omar and Somali refugees.

Posts on social media platforms, including one from an account called "End Wokeness," shared images of the proposed design, falsely claiming it as the new state flag. Minnesota, known for its significant Somali population, became a focal point in the conspiracy narrative due to Rep. Ilhan Omar's background as a Somali refugee.

In response to the conspiracy theory, Rep. Omar humorously dismissed the claims, stating that she had "nothing to do with the new design." The congresswoman, who became an American citizen after settling in the United States as a Somali refugee, took to Twitter to express her fondness for the adopted flag design.

While some continued to perpetuate the conspiracy, claiming that last-minute changes were made to the flag due to intense backlash, it should be noted that the "original design" mentioned refers to a proposal that did not make it to become the final version.

Minnesota boasts the largest Somali population in the Western world, and with Rep. Omar hailing from Puntland, the conspiracy theory found a receptive audience among right-wing circles. However, with no evidence supporting the claim, the theory has been widely debunked.

The Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission stands by their decision to adopt the new flag design, which seeks to promote inclusivity and represent the state's unique identity. As the controversy subsides, the focus turns to embracing the new flag symbolizing Minnesota's diverse and vibrant community.