Trump's Iowa Rally Attacks El-Sayed as Stevens Endorses Rogers in Michigan

Key points

• Trump called El-Sayed a 'jihadist' at an Iowa rally, suggesting he would need a 'special metal detector' to enter Congress and invoking the 9/11 attacks.
• Representative Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday, stating she did not belong in El-Sayed's campaign after a dispute over an ad linking rising prices to US support for Israel.
• The Michigan Democratic Party removed Stevens from its voter database and website, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called her endorsement a 'despicable betrayal.'
• Trump praised Stevens's defection, suggesting she should join the Republican Party, and described Rogers as 'apple pie' in contrast to 'communists' and 'jihadists.'
• El-Sayed, a US-born public health official, dismissed the attacks as bigotry, noting that voters are concerned about gas prices and healthcare rather than his faith.

Background

The Michigan Senate race has been a focal point of the 2026 midterms, with Trump previously attacking El-Sayed at rallies in Port Huron and Cleveland. The race is considered pivotal for determining Senate control, with early voting showing approximately 29% of active registered voters in Michigan having already cast ballots. Previous coverage highlighted Trump's escalating rhetoric against El-Sayed and Obama, as well as the tight polling in the state.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and BBC emphasized the racist and Islamophobic nature of Trump's remarks, noting the backlash from former Arab American allies and the invocation of 9/11. The New York Times focused on the political fallout of Stevens's endorsement, highlighting the anger within the Democratic Party and the removal of her access to party resources. Bridge Michigan highlighted Trump's direct appeal to Michigan voters via a tele-rally, urging them to vote for Rogers and other Republican candidates. All sources agree on the tightness of the race and the significance of the Stevens defection, but differ in emphasis: The Guardian and BBC focus on the rhetoric, while the NYT and Bridge Michigan focus on the political maneuvering and voter turnout efforts.

Why it matters

The Michigan Senate seat is one of the few that could determine which party controls the Senate after the November 3 midterms. The combination of Trump's inflammatory rhetoric and the high-profile defection of a Democratic incumbent could shift the outcome of a closely contested race, with implications for the balance of power in Congress and the ability of the Trump administration to pass legislation or face opposition.

What to watch

Voting continues until November 3, with early voting having ended on November 1. Trump is expected to hold a final rally in Kansas, while El-Sayed and other Democrats continue to campaign in Michigan and other battleground states. The outcome of the Michigan race will be closely watched as a bellwether for the broader midterm results.