Trump’s 'Jihadist' Attacks on El-Sayed Spark Backlash in Michigan Senate Race

Key points

• Trump labeled El-Sayed a 'jihadist' at a Port Huron rally, claiming he would be barred from airplanes and the Senate.
• RFK Jr. and Sen. Ted Cruz joined the attacks, with Cruz calling El-Sayed a 'jihadist leprechaun' and RFK Jr. making false claims about Arab contributions to science.
• El-Sayed’s allies, including former GOP Arab American outreach leaders, say the rhetoric has turned off voters who supported Trump in 2024.
• Republicans claim the attacks are about security, not faith, but critics and late-night hosts condemn them as naked bigotry.
• The Michigan Senate race is considered one of the closest in the midterms, with El-Sayed potentially becoming the first Muslim U.S. senator if he wins.

Background

In the final weeks of the 2026 midterm elections, the Michigan Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers has become a focal point for anti-Muslim rhetoric. Previous coverage noted that Trump’s attacks, including sharing clips from Kid Rock and making false claims about Arab contributions, have alienated Arab and Muslim voters in the state. El-Sayed, a US-born epidemiologist, has consistently denied ties to extremist groups, framing the attacks as a distraction from economic issues.

How outlets are covering it

Politico and The Atlantic emphasize the backlash from Arab and Muslim voters who supported Trump in 2024, viewing the attacks as a betrayal. BBC highlights the specific claims linking El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood, noting that some of these references date back to 2011-2012. The Guardian focuses on the broader context of Trump’s bigotry, with late-night hosts condemning the remarks as a regression in racial tolerance. Republicans, including Rogers and the White House, argue the attacks are about security and 'radical Islamic agendas,' not faith, but critics counter that the rhetoric is Islamophobic and factually incorrect.

Why it matters

The Michigan Senate race is a critical battleground that could determine the balance of power in Congress. The intense anti-Muslim rhetoric risks alienating key voter demographics and inflaming tensions in a swing state. If El-Sayed wins, he would be the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, marking a historic shift in American politics.

What to watch

The race is expected to be decided on November 3, 2026. El-Sayed’s campaign is focusing on door-knocking and ads to counter the attacks, while Republicans continue to emphasize security concerns. The outcome will likely hinge on whether undecided voters are swayed by the anti-Muslim rhetoric or by economic issues.