Trump Calls Michigan Senate Candidate a 'Jihadist' Over His Muslim Faith

At an October 25, 2026 rally in Port Huron, Michigan, President Trump called Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed a "jihadist" who was "on the side of the terrorists," said El-Sayed would "have to go through a metal detector before he's allowed to go into the Senate," and invoked September 11, comparing stopping him to passengers who fought hijackers on Flight 93. He also attacked Rep. Ilhan Omar and tied El-Sayed to streamer Hasan Piker, who has made inflammatory past remarks about Israel and 9/11. The attacks followed an October 8 post calling El-Sayed, who would be the first Muslim U.S. senator if elected, a "RADICAL Extremist, Terrorist Sympathizer."

Republicans, including opponent Mike Rogers, have tied El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood; reporting on the claims has found no evidence of such ties. The race, to succeed Sen. Gary Peters, could help decide Senate control.

El-Sayed called the attacks "shameful" and said Trump was distracting from his own record, telling supporters "I will be Senator Muhammad to you, bro." Bishara Bahbah, of Arab Americans for Peace (formerly Arab Americans for Trump), called the remarks racist and said Muslim voters would remember them on Election Day.