Trump and El-Sayed trade attacks in Michigan Senate race
President Donald Trump attacked Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at a rally, calling him a “jihadist” and claiming he could be barred from boarding a plane because of security concerns. El-Sayed responded at a rival event by joking that Trump could call him “senator” after the election, as the dispute intensified in a closely contested race that could affect control of Congress.
Trump also alleged, without providing evidence, that El-Sayed was linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and wanted Sharia law; El-Sayed has denied ties to extremist groups and publicly condemned the Brotherhood. The campaign is taking place in the final week before the November 3 elections, with Republican Mike Rogers challenging El-Sayed for the seat held by retiring Democrat Gary Peters. Arab Americans for Trump founder Bishara Bahbah also criticised the president’s remarks as racist and out of line.
In short
- Trump questioned El-Sayed’s security status and attacked his Muslim faith.
- El-Sayed answered with a joke about becoming a senator.
- The exchange comes in a closely watched Michigan Senate race.
Explained simply
Michigan is one of the states choosing a senator in the US elections. Senators serve six-year terms and help make federal laws; together with the House of Representatives, the Senate forms Congress, which can be controlled by either major party.
The seat is held by Democrat Gary Peters, who is retiring. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers are competing to replace him, and the result could affect which party controls the Senate. El-Sayed is a physician and former head of Michigan’s health department; Rogers is a former congressman.
The race is taking place in a state with a sizeable Arab American community, making debate about candidates’ backgrounds and political claims part of the wider campaign. The Muslim Brotherhood is an Islamist political movement, and allegations of links to it can carry serious implications; El-Sayed has denied such ties.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Trump and El-Sayed exchange brutal jibes after president said Michigan candidate ‘can’t get a seat on an airplane’ during battleground state rallies in final week of campaign”.