Project Veritas Video Raises Questions Amid Voter Fraud Claims in Minnesota
The undercover video by Project Veritas sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with allegations emerging about a ballot harvesting operation connected to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s campaign in Minneapolis. Released in late September 2020, the footage captured a man named Liban Osman collecting stacks of absentee ballots, igniting a firestorm online. Critics and commentators cried “MASS FRAUD IN MN,” with a provocative tweet asking, “The people that work for Ilhan are actually counting the ballots?” This sentiment quickly gained traction, inserting itself into a national conversation about election integrity.
In the video, O’Keefe’s organization claimed that Omar’s campaign operatives were illegally gathering ballots from Somali-American voters and even paying for their votes. Ballot harvesting, a controversial practice in which third parties collect voters’ completed ballots, became the center of this discussion. The video positioned Osman as a key figure in this alleged scheme, where he reportedly stated, “Money is everything,” leading many to interpret his words as referring to vote buying. However, further investigation revealed the context of his comments was far less clear-cut, suggesting he was discussing the general nature of political campaigns rather than any illegal activities.
The timing of the video’s release was also noteworthy. It coincided with President Donald Trump’s rally in Duluth and a *New York Times* report on his income taxes, raising questions about a potential coordinated effort to reshape the political narrative just five weeks before the presidential election.
Omar Jamal, who presented himself as a whistleblower, became a notable figure in the Project Veritas video. He alleged he was exposing systemic fraud within Omar’s camp. Yet, his reliability faced serious challenges; investigations showed he had allegedly used a fake passport to enter the United States and that his purported watchdog group seemed to have been hastily assembled before the video’s unveiling. Furthermore, supposed affiliations with law enforcement could not be independently verified.
Osman, the individual at the center of the accusations, denied any wrongdoing. In an interview with Minneapolis FOX affiliate KMSP, he revealed he had been pressured by Jamal to falsely claim he was paid by Omar’s campaign for ballot harvesting. Osman recounted how Jamal offered him $10,000 to fabricate a statement, asserting, “He was setting me up.” This pointed allegation raised serious doubts about the motivations behind the project, showcasing the complexities of the situation versus the simpler narrative of election fraud.
Project Veritas responded firmly, denying the bribery allegations. Still, the controversy deepened. The edited video montage included clips from varying locations and times, with footage recorded during Minnesota’s legal absentee ballot collection period (July 28–September 4, 2020). It allowed individuals to collect multiple ballots on behalf of others, such as elderly relatives. One particularly compelling moment showed an unnamed man allegedly receiving $200. Context implied this money was intended as aid for a sick family member, not a payment for a vote, complicating the interpretation of the footage.
Local businessman Basim Sabri received mention in the video as a supposed financial backer of the operation. Sabri strongly rejected these claims, labeling them defamatory and expressing concern for his family’s safety, saying, “They’ve got the wrong man.” His vehement denial underscored the far-reaching implications of accusations grounded in dubious evidence.
Despite the lack of solid proof, the story gained national prominence. Trump referenced the video in a tweet, implying that the U.S. Attorney in Minnesota should investigate the claims against Omar, while former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard called for a nationwide ban on ballot harvesting, framing it as “not a partisan issue” but one “ripe for fraud.”
Congresswoman Omar countered these assertions, dismissing the video as part of a coordinated misinformation campaign. Her response, “So you’re saying a coordinated misinformation campaign by a known fraud was actually… a fraud?” highlights her view of the situation as an attack rather than a genuine investigation of misconduct. She repeatedly denied any illegal activity tied to her staff.
The concerns about the video’s authenticity were echoed by a Stanford Internet Observatory analysis, which criticized Project Veritas for tight editing and potential scripting. Researchers suggested the video appeared more intent on swaying public opinion rather than revealing verified illegal actions, concluding: “There is a strong disinformation component here.”
Project Veritas’s history of releasing edited clips also figures significantly in this narrative. Their past sting operations have often found themselves in hot water, as seen with ACORN and Planned Parenthood, where similar allegations surfaced of heavily edited videos leading to unfounded accusations and significant fallout.
No charges were ever brought against Omar or her campaign in connection to the claims made in the Project Veritas video. Local officials investigated the allegations and determined the video did not demonstrate any clear legal violation. Hennepin County Elections Director Ginny Gelms confirmed that no illegal ballot collection instances were confirmed during the early voting period in 2020.
The lingering impact of this video continues to shape perceptions around voter fraud, especially among those skeptical of the electoral process in urban, immigrant-heavy communities. For figures like Liban Osman, the fallout from the allegations has been deeply personal and politically damaging. Being associated with alleged undermining of democracy, while consistently denying any illegality, left him vulnerable. Conversely, Omar Jamal turned his notoriety from the video into a fundraising opportunity, reportedly raising nearly $30,000.
This controversy highlights critical issues in American politics: the overlap of activism and journalism, and the rapid dissemination of unverified claims in a divided nation. The tweet that sparked the conversation remains emblematic of the emotional charge surrounding the investigation: “Money for votes. The people that work for Ilhan are actually counting the ballots?” However, as fact-checks reveal, the initial appearance of hijinks in the electoral process often conceals a much more complicated landscape beneath the surface.
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