Trump’s attacks on El-Sayed alienate Michigan’s Arab and Muslim voters

Key points

• Trump labeled El-Sayed a 'jihadist' and 'Muslim Brotherhood' member at a Georgia rally and on Truth Social, mocking his name.
• Husham Al-Husainy, an Iraqi American imam in Dearborn who voted for Trump in 2024, now supports El-Sayed, stating that Republicans have 'changed' while voters have not.
• Rexhinaldo Nazarko, a Michigan political strategist, stated that Republicans 'blew' their opportunity to cultivate a healthy relationship with the state's Muslim community.
• The NRSC spent $1.5 million on an ad calling El-Sayed a 'real threat to national security,' while Rogers’ campaign denies targeting his faith.
• El-Sayed has a small lead in polling averages, but the race remains tight, with Obama campaigning for him and Trump for Rogers in the final days.

Background

This race is pivotal for Democrats seeking a net four-seat gain to control the Senate. Michigan’s Arab and Muslim voters, estimated at 400,000, previously supported Trump in 2024 to protest Biden’s support for Israel. Recent archive coverage notes Trump’s pattern of attacking Democratic candidates, including labeling them 'jihadists' or using slurs, which has sparked bipartisan condemnation in other states. The current conflict mirrors earlier tensions where Trump’s rhetoric alienated specific demographic blocs, such as Somali immigrants, whom he called 'garbage' in December 2025.

How outlets are covering it

MS NOW and CNN highlight the alienation of Arab and Muslim voters, with MS NOW focusing on the betrayal of 2024 supporters and CNN noting concerns among Black voters about El-Sayed’s background. ClickOnDetroit and Detroit Free Press focus on policy and procedural aspects, such as tariff stances and debate logistics, without emphasizing the religious rhetoric. Republicans, via spokesperson Abby Ronson and State Sen. Jim Runestad, argue they are engaging authentically with Muslim voters and that Rogers specifically requested no attacks on his faith, contradicting the NRSC’s national messaging. Democrats and local leaders, including Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, argue the party is not viewing Muslims as equals, citing Trump’s travel bans and James’s comments on Ashura as evidence of systemic exclusion.

Why it matters

The outcome of the Michigan Senate race could determine Senate control in 2027. If El-Sayed wins, it may signal that Trump’s Islamophobic rhetoric is counterproductive in swing states. If Rogers wins, strategists warn it could legitimize Islamophobia in future elections. The race also tests whether Trump can maintain support among voters who backed him in 2024 despite his recent attacks on their community and endorsement of Netanyahu.

What to watch

The final debate is scheduled for October 21 at WXYZ-TV. Barack Obama is set to campaign in Detroit on October 24, and Trump will campaign in St. Clair County on October 25. The election is on November 3. Polling remains tight, with El-Sayed holding a small lead. The outcome will likely hinge on turnout among Arab, Muslim, and Black voters in Detroit and Flint.