A Somali migrant who was deported from the United States and publicly branded an “illegal scumbag” by the White House for allegedly assisting in the 2009 kidnapping of two French intelligence officers may have been wrongly accused, according to testimonies from Somali and French security sources.
Mahad Maxamud, a prominent social media figure with over 450,000 TikTok followers, received a hero’s welcome upon returning to Somalia in November. Known for his provocative online commentary and participation in heated TikTok debates, Maxamud has amassed a substantial audience, making him one of the most influential digital personalities in the Somali diaspora.
Despite U.S. authorities linking him to the jihadist insurgency group Al-Shabaab which maintains ties to Al-Qaeda questions are emerging about the credibility of the allegations. An in-depth investigation by AFP, supported by interviews with intelligence officials and analysis of Maxamud’s digital footprint, reveals significant doubt surrounding the U.S. claims.
A Politicized Deportation?
Somali migrants have recently found themselves at the center of political rhetoric in the United States. President Donald Trump escalated criticism last week, calling the community “garbage” who should “go back to where they came from.”
Maxamud was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota in May 2025. On October 24, the White House posted on X that he was a “criminal illegal scumbag” and accused him of participating in the abduction of French operatives Marc Aubriere and Denis Allex at Mogadishu’s Sahafi Hotel in 2009.
The kidnapping, executed at a time when Al-Shabaab controlled much of the Somali capital, led to years of international investigations. Aubriere later escaped, but Allex was killed during a failed French rescue mission more than three years later.
Two Somali intelligence agents told AFP they had never encountered evidence linking Maxamud to the operation. A French intelligence source familiar with the DGSE’s lengthy investigation was even more definitive: “Mahad Maxamud was not involved in the kidnapping.”
Maxamud Denies Allegations and Describes His Arrest
Speaking to AFP, Maxamud said he left Somalia for South Africa a year before the kidnapping took place. “I was not involved and it’s not true,” he stated.
Maxamud later moved to the United States in 2022, where he worked for Amazon and Uber prior to his arrest. He described his detention as a sudden and frightening ordeal.
“There were a lot of men whose faces were covered, wearing bulletproof vests, who put a gun to my head and arrested me,” he recounted.
He was deported in November along with seven other Somalis, traveling through Kenya before arriving in Mogadishu.
“I blame Trump for what happened to me,” he said, adding that he believes others from various backgrounds not only Somalis have been affected by the administration’s approach to immigration.
Growing Popularity at Home
Upon his return, Maxamud embraced the moment with a series of well-produced videos showcasing his reception in Somalia. Footage of him stepping off a plane and greeting cheering crowds has only amplified his online following gaining an additional 100,000 followers since the White House’s public accusation.
His rising popularity secured him a meeting with Ahmed Abdi Kariye, the president of Somalia’s Galmudug region, further reinforcing his status as a local celebrity.
The White House did not respond to AFP’s request for comment.
How TikTok Rivalries May Have Fueled the Allegations
Some observers believe the allegations may stem from the volatile world of Somali TikTok, where creators frequently engage in aggressive, clan-driven “roasting battles.” These confrontations can escalate beyond digital platforms and, at times, contribute to real-world tensions.
A small number of online articles linking Maxamud to the kidnapping appear on sites operated by rivals, including Suna Times, managed by Dahir Alasow, a Netherlands-based TikTok personality known to clash with Maxamud online.
According to his nephew, Ibrahim Ahmed Hersi, jealousy and competition may have motivated some rivals to circulate damaging claims. “He had a huge impact online and some envied him, possibly going to extreme lengths to get him in trouble,” he said.
Experts warn that TikTok disputes within the Somali diaspora can have significant repercussions. Jethro Norman, a researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, explained that “a TikTok video filmed in Minnesota can trigger armed clan mobilization in Somalia within hours.”
A Case Reflecting Larger Tensions
Maxamud’s situation highlights the intersection of diaspora politics, digital influence, ethnic rivalries, and U.S. immigration policy. While the allegations against him have been widely rejected by Somali and French intelligence sources, his case underscores the potential dangers of misinformation and the growing influence of online conflicts on real-world outcomes.
