Trump’s 'Send Him Back' Rhetoric Ignites Backlash as El-Sayed’s Michigan Birthplace Is Highlighted

Key points

• Trump told a Florida rally crowd to vote against El-Sayed and 'send him back to where he came from,' claiming the candidate dislikes Black and Jewish people.
• Social media users and commentators pointed out that El-Sayed was born in Rochester Hills, Michigan, contradicting the implication that he is a foreigner.
• Trump labeled El-Sayed a 'jihadist' and 'Muslim Brotherhood member' at a Port Huron rally, invoking 9/11, though there is no evidence of such affiliations.
• Bishara Bahbah, founder of Arab Americans for Trump, condemned the remarks as racist and 'out of line,' warning that such rhetoric could impact Arab American voters in Michigan.
• Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez campaigned for El-Sayed, with Obama comparing the attacks to the birther conspiracy he faced.
• A Marist poll placed El-Sayed at 50% and Rogers at 48% among likely voters, though Republicans are outspending Democrats nearly two-to-one.

Background

The Michigan Senate race is pivotal for determining control of the U.S. Senate. El-Sayed, a former Detroit health official, won the Democratic primary in August by narrowly defeating establishment-backed Haley Stevens. The campaign has been marked by intense polarization, with Republicans leveraging Islamophobic rhetoric and Democrats gradually uniting behind El-Sayed despite prior disagreements over his progressive platform, which includes Medicare for All and ending military aid to Israel.

How outlets are covering it

HuffPost focused on the irony of Trump’s 'send him back' comment given El-Sayed’s Michigan birthplace, highlighting social media reactions. The Guardian emphasized the Democratic establishment’s cautious but growing support for El-Sayed, noting that while Obama and others rallied behind him, many leaders expressed reservations about his foreign policy views. NPR detailed the specific Islamophobic language used by Trump, including the 'jihadist' label, and the condemnation from Arab American allies who previously supported the president. Yahoo highlighted Trump’s comments calling Black and Jewish voters 'crazy' for supporting El-Sayed, framing it as an attempt to divide communities, while noting El-Sayed’s efforts to build support among Black voters despite not winning a majority in the primary.

Why it matters

The race in Michigan could determine which party controls the Senate, making it a critical battleground in the 2026 midterms. The escalation of Islamophobic rhetoric by the president and Republican allies has drawn national attention and potential backlash from Arab American voters, while the Democratic establishment’s tentative support for El-Sayed signals a shift in party strategy. The outcome will also test the limits of progressive politics in a traditionally competitive state.

What to watch

Voting in Michigan is set for November 3, 2026. El-Sayed and Stevens are scheduled to campaign together for the first time in months on Sunday, two days before the election. The outcome will depend on turnout among Black, Jewish, and Arab American voters, as well as the effectiveness of each side’s messaging in the final days.