Abdul El-Sayed responded to attacks by Trump on his Muslim faith
Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed told supporters Sunday that President Donald Trump would soon have to call him “Senator Mohamed” if he wins in November. Al Jazeera reported El-Sayed has previously called the attacks a distraction; NBC News described the race against Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers as a dead heat.
More context
Responding to President Donald Trump’s attacks on his Muslim faith, Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed told supporters Sunday that he expected to be addressed as “Senator Mohamed” by the president if he wins in November, The Hill reported. El-Sayed, who would become the first Muslim in the Senate if elected, has largely dismissed the rhetoric as a “distraction,” according to Al Jazeera.
At a Port Huron rally for Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers, Trump called El-Sayed a “jihadist” and a “Muslim Brotherhood member,” and claimed his election would bring “hordes of jihadists” to the United States. The New York Times and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency described the allegations as baseless. Trump also said Jewish people who support El-Sayed “should be ashamed” of themselves. NBC News described the contest between El-Sayed and Rogers as a dead heat.
Was this story useful?
What was the main problem? (optional)
Reporting
- Al Jazeera — Trump dials up Islamophobia at Michigan Senate rally against Abdul El-Sayed | US Midterm Elections 2026 News | Al Jazeera
- The New Arab — Trump ramps up Islamophobic attacks on Abdul El-Sayed
- The Hill — Abdul El-Sayed tells Trump he will soon be 'Senator Muhammad'
- Jewish Telegraphic Agency — Trump says Jews who support El-Sayed should be 'ashamed' in anti-Muslim speech - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
- NBC News — Trump leans into Islamophobic rhetoric at Michigan rally
- The New York Times — In Islamophobic Rant, Trump Seeks to Stir Republican Base in Michigan - The New York Times
- The Washington Post — Trump escalates campaign rhetoric, calling El-Sayed a "jihadist - The Washington Post
- michiganadvance.com — Trump invokes anti-Muslim rhetoric to attack El-Sayed at Michigan rally supporting Rogers, James • Michigan Advance
Verifier’s note
Al Jazeera, The New Arab, Michigan Advance, The Hill, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, NBC News, The New York Times, and The Washington Post all report Trump’s anti-Muslim attacks against Abdul El-Sayed at or in connection with his Michigan rally. Their accounts consistently describe the same recent event.