A Cinnabon employee in the United States has been dismissed from her post after a video of her directing racist abuse at Somali customers went viral online.
Incident Details and Company Response
The event took place at a Cinnabon outlet in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. On Sunday 7 December 2025, a video surfaced showing the staff member using a highly offensive racial slur, specifically the n-word, towards customers. In the footage, she also declared 'I am racist' and made derogatory hand gestures.
Cinnabon, the parent company, moved swiftly to address the controversy. A spokesperson confirmed the incident and the employee's termination, stating her actions were 'completely unacceptable' and contrary to the firm's core values.
Broader Political Context
This local incident has resonated against a backdrop of national tension concerning immigration and rhetoric targeting Somali communities. Former President Donald Trump has recently made remarks stating he does not want Somali immigrants in the country and has launched attacks on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who is of Somali descent.
Concurrently, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency initiated an operation in Minneapolis, a city with a significant Somali population. The operation is reported to be primarily targeting Somali immigrants, a move that has caused considerable anxiety within the community, including among US citizens of Somali heritage.
Community Impact and Aftermath
The viral video from Wisconsin has amplified fears within Somali communities across the nation, highlighting concerns over both individual acts of prejudice and broader institutional pressures. While Cinnabon's decisive action in firing the employee has been noted, the episode underscores the real-world impact of divisive political discourse on social cohesion and public behaviour.
The fallout serves as a stark reminder of how racist harassment at a local business level can intersect with wider national debates on immigration and identity.
