President Donald Trump on Sunday escalated his attacks on Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed at a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, telling supporters, "I'm here to keep a jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member from becoming a United States senator."3,4
The rally was held for Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman backed by Trump, in the Nov. 3 race to succeed retiring Democrat Gary Peters. Republicans see an opening to flip a Senate seat as they try to hold their majority, and El-Sayed would become the Senate's first Muslim member if elected. Republicans have cast him as a symbol of a Democratic Party moving further left, while progressives see his candidacy as a test of whether their agenda can win in a battleground state ahead of the 2028 presidential election.4
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, "Heading to Michigan to fight a Jihadist Member of the Muslim Brotherhood," referring to El-Sayed, a physician and former public health official. Trump also claimed El-Sayed wanted to impose Sharia law in the United States, adding, "If it ever does, he should be the first that's tried!" Trump offered no evidence for either accusation. On Friday, he had called El-Sayed a "vicious, violent jihadist" and a "phony" and "liar" for portraying himself as a centrist.3,2
At the rally, Trump said El-Sayed should have to pass through a metal detector to enter the Senate building. "Anyone with that record of support for jihadists would be screened and unable to get a seat on an airplane," Trump said.7
El-Sayed has said he is loyal to the United States and has disavowed the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamic movement with branches the U.S. government has designated as terrorist organizations. He has rejected attacks on his faith and patriotism. He has taunted Trump, encouraging him to visit Michigan in the belief that a visit would backfire on Rogers. "Donald, if you're watching, don't wuss out, man," El-Sayed said.4,3
Rogers broke with Trump on Sunday, declining to agree with the president's description of El-Sayed. Telling NBC's Kristen Welker that he has never called El-Sayed a terrorist, Rogers said, "No, I don't — I've never called him a terrorist. I've never called him a terrorist." Welker then pressed Rogers on whether Trump's language about El-Sayed met his standard. Rogers had said on Oct. 10 that Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy calling El-Sayed a terrorist was "exactly right."2
Rogers has nonetheless accused El-Sayed of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. In a statement after the primary, Rogers said El-Sayed "pledged his support to the Muslim Brotherhood." Speaking on stage before Trump, Rogers said, "The Muslim Brotherhood celebrated exactly one victory in the United States in the primary this year. Abdul El-Sayed's." Rogers also rejected the notion that El-Sayed has disavowed the Muslim Brotherhood, a position El-Sayed has repeatedly taken.2,4
Trump also invoked the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, comparing El-Sayed's candidacy to the passengers who fought back against hijackers aboard United Flight 93. "Twenty-five years later, Michigan needs to stand up and fight, just like Todd did, to stop a jihadist from walking into the Capitol," Trump said, referring to Todd Beamer, a Michigan native who died aboard the flight. Trump then invited Beamer's parents onto the stage. Beamer's father, David Beamer, questioned El-Sayed's claim to American identity, arguing that being born in the United States and having an American birth certificate does not by itself make someone a "real American."4,3
The rally followed Saturday campaign appearances by former President Barack Obama in Ohio and Michigan, where he defended El-Sayed against attacks on his religion and patriotism. In Detroit, Obama campaigned for El-Sayed and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson and invoked birther conspiracy theories that Trump had promoted against him. "We have seen this movie before. I starred in it," Obama said. "I have a long form birth certificate to prove it."3
Trump has attacked El-Sayed's faith throughout the campaign, claiming his past statements and background show sympathy for extremists, and El-Sayed has repeatedly said he is loyal to the country. Democrats have denounced the Republican claims as attacks on El-Sayed's faith and his Egyptian heritage. In their final debate, Rogers asked, "Are you for America, or are you for these terrorist groups overseas?" El-Sayed called the questioning "shameful." "I'm proud of our Constitution that guarantees all of us the right to pray as we choose to pray," he said.4
Trump's remarks also included claims about fraud in the 2020 election and attacks on Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee. Rogers and Republican gubernatorial candidate John James also addressed the crowd, urging supporters to vote. Port Huron sits about 60 miles northeast of Detroit, across the St. Clair River from Canada. The Republican Party has not won a Senate race in Michigan for more than three decades, and Rogers lost the 2024 Senate race to then-Rep. Elissa Slotkin. Early voting is already underway in 43 states, and the candidates are in their last full week of campaigning.3,4,6
Rogers, asked about the race, framed the contest around his opponent. "This election is about me vs. Abdul," Rogers said. "I mean, he's a Democrat Socialist of America-aligned candidate who has these pretty radical support groups that don't like America. I think those are issues people ought to decide their election on."2
