WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fox News host Jesse Watters took aim at Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) during a recent segment on Jesse Watters Primetime, joking that the progressive congresswoman’s rapidly growing wealth could soon rival or even surpass that of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The commentary came after new financial disclosures revealed Omar and her husband, political consultant Tim Mynett, saw their net worth skyrocket in 2024 — raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.
Omar’s Wealth Surge
According to a financial filing reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon, Omar and Mynett reported a net worth of roughly $30 million in 2024. That represents an estimated 3,500% increase compared to the previous year.
The filings attribute much of the couple’s newfound fortune to Mynett’s ventures, which include a California winery located in Santa Rosa and a venture capital firm in Washington, D.C. Both businesses appear to have generated significant profits in the past year.
For Omar, who has long aligned herself with the Democratic Party’s progressive wing and often advocates for policies aimed at redistributing wealth and limiting corporate power, the sudden financial boom has opened her up to criticism from political opponents and skepticism from voters.
Omar’s Past Denials
The disclosure also stands in stark contrast to Omar’s past statements. As recently as 2023, she dismissed suggestions that she was wealthy, calling claims that she had become a millionaire “ridiculous” and “categorically false.”
That denial is now resurfacing as critics seize on the contradiction between her words and the financial filings. “It’s hard to square her claims of not having millions with the reality of a $30 million net worth in the very next year,” one Republican strategist told The Hill. “It looks like she’s trying to downplay her financial success because it doesn’t fit her brand.”
Watters’ On-Air Commentary
Fox News host Jesse Watters wasted no time lampooning the revelations. Speaking to fellow host Julie Banderas during the Tuesday broadcast, Watters opened the segment with a tongue-in-cheek warning for Pelosi.
“Queen Nancy is on the brink of getting her crown stolen,” Watters said. “Get this: Squad member Ilhan Omar’s net worth skyrocketed up to $30 million last year. That is an increase — by my calculations — 3,500% in a year.”
He then jokingly asked: “So where is the gold coming from? Her husband — not her brother, her husband — who owns a winery and a venture capital firm. Omar is not happy the news is out. She’s calling these claims ridiculous and categorically false. I guess being a millionaire isn’t a great look for a communist.”
Julie Banderas Weighs In
Watters was joined by Fox News host Julie Banderas, who added her own sarcastic take on Omar’s financial windfall.
“It’s called husband,” Banderas quipped. “But what’s interesting is she says, ‘I don’t have millions, I just have barely thousands,’ which is interesting when you are married and not the moneyed spouse. It’s our money until you don’t have to show for it. So, of course, it’s his money. Try divorcing her, and I will bet you anything that she will say she’s worth all of those millions.”
Watters followed up with a tongue-in-cheek jab, asking: “Is he like the Muslim Paulie P.? Because that is one sweet investment.” The reference was to Paul Pelosi, the husband of Nancy Pelosi, whose stock trades and investments have long been a source of political scrutiny.
Banderas then pointed to another detail raising questions about Omar’s financial dealings: Mynett’s firm reportedly received $2.9 million from Omar’s campaign over several years. “No, it’s amazing,” she said. “But his firm actually was hired by her campaign and they paid his firm $2.9 million, so she paid him. I don’t know what’s going on there.”
Pelosi Comparisons
The comparison to Nancy Pelosi, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, loomed large throughout the segment. Pelosi and her husband Paul’s wealth has been estimated between $257 million and $268 million as of 2024–2025.
While Omar’s $30 million fortune is still far behind, the pace of her reported financial growth raised questions about whether she could eventually close the gap. Watters leaned into this speculation, suggesting Pelosi might have a rival in the congressional wealth rankings.
“Pelosi’s been the queen bee of congressional wealth for years,” Watters said. “But if Omar keeps this up, she might steal the crown.”
Political Fallout
The revelations and subsequent commentary could carry political consequences for Omar. As a member of the progressive “Squad,” she has long positioned herself as a champion of working-class Americans and a vocal critic of the wealthy elite.
Critics argue that her rising net worth undercuts her messaging and risks alienating supporters. “You can’t preach about wealth inequality while your own fortune multiplies thirtyfold in a year,” one conservative commentator tweeted.
Defenders, however, insist the financial gains are tied to her husband’s independent business ventures and not her congressional role. “It’s not unusual for a spouse to succeed in business,” a Democratic strategist noted. “Omar’s critics are trying to conflate her politics with her husband’s professional success to score points.”
Broader Context: Wealth and Congress
Omar’s case adds to an ongoing conversation about wealth in Congress. Many lawmakers, regardless of party, are millionaires, often due to stock holdings, real estate investments, or family businesses. Critics argue that such financial privilege distances lawmakers from the struggles of everyday Americans.
Pelosi, in particular, has long faced criticism for her husband’s stock trades, which sometimes coincided with legislation before Congress. Calls for stronger rules around stock trading and financial disclosures for members of Congress have gained momentum in recent years, though comprehensive reform has yet to pass.
Watters’ framing of Omar as potentially becoming the “next Pelosi” in terms of wealth plays into that narrative, suggesting that Democrats who rail against inequality may themselves be thriving financially in ways similar to their opponents.
Looking Ahead
As Omar prepares for reelection in 2026, questions about her wealth may become a talking point for challengers. Republicans are expected to highlight the disclosures as evidence of hypocrisy, while Democrats will likely emphasize her husband’s role in the couple’s financial growth.
Whether Omar’s fortune becomes a liability or simply a passing controversy remains to be seen. For now, it has provided fresh fodder for critics like Watters and Banderas — and renewed debate about money, politics, and credibility in Washington.
Conclusion
The sudden jump in Ilhan Omar’s reported wealth has sparked both scrutiny and satire. While her defenders insist the money stems from her husband’s business success, critics argue the optics are damaging for a lawmaker who has built her political brand on advocating for economic equality.
Jesse Watters’ segment captured the tension with a mix of humor and pointed criticism, suggesting Omar might be on track to join — or even challenge — Nancy Pelosi among Congress’s wealthiest figures. Whether that narrative sticks will depend not only on Omar’s financial disclosures in future years but also on how voters view the balance between personal wealth and political credibility.