Full-name controversy dominates Michigan race as Islamophobia accusations surface

Tim Scott was pressed on ads that highlight Abdul El-Sayed's full Arabic name, a tactic critics say echoes Islamophobic attacks on Barack Obama. Scott argued the focus is on El-Sayed’s positions, while El-Sayed and supporters say the move exploits his Muslim background. El-Sayed has invoked Obama’s 2008 campaign to argue that a candidate with an Arabic name can win, and Hasan Piker’s association has fueled the controversy; Obama has spoken with El-Sayed as Democrats denounce the smear ahead of Michigan’s Senate race against a Trump-endorsed challenger.