President Donald Trump escalated his attacks on Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed this week, calling him a 'jihadist' during a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The remarks have intensified scrutiny of El-Sayed’s campaign in a race that recent polling suggests is tightening, with a CBS Detroit/TV stations poll showing El-Sayed leading Republican Mike Rogers by 7 percentage points as Election Day approaches.
El-Sayed, a progressive doctor and former Michigan health director, responded to Trump’s comments by stating, 'I don’t even care that he remembers my whole name because he can just go on and call me 'senator' after November.' His campaign has framed the attacks as Islamophobic, while Rogers, a former congressman, has not directly addressed the rhetoric but has focused on policy contrasts in his own stump speeches.
Trump’s Rhetoric Sparks Backlash in Arab American Community
Trump’s latest comments follow months of criticism targeting El-Sayed’s faith, heritage, and political positions. In Dearborn, Michigan—a city with a large Arab American population—residents expressed frustration over the president’s remarks. Panna Sharker, 35, told the Washington Examiner, 'Two years ago, we were his best friends. Now, we are terrorists.' The sentiment reflects broader concerns among Arab American voters, who played a key role in Trump’s 2016 and 2020 victories but have since grown disillusioned with his rhetoric.
El-Sayed, whose middle name is Mohamed, has become a central figure in the 2026 midterms as Democrats seek to defend vulnerable Senate seats. His campaign has emphasized his progressive platform, including Medicare for All, ending U.S. military aid to Israel, and his identity as a Muslim, which would make him the first Muslim U.S. senator if elected. His primary victory over moderate Rep. Haley Stevens in August marked one of the most closely watched Democratic primaries of the cycle.
El-Sayed’s Identity and Background Under Scrutiny
Trump and Rogers have repeatedly highlighted El-Sayed’s faith and background in campaign messaging. Trump has suggested, without evidence, that El-Sayed would require a metal detector to enter the Senate, while Rogers’ allies have circulated claims about El-Sayed’s family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood—a charge his campaign has called a 'bad faith attack' meant to distract voters.
El-Sayed has forcefully denied any association with the Muslim Brotherhood, telling Fox News, 'I have never been a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, I never will be a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.' His campaign has framed the scrutiny as part of a broader pattern of Islamophobic attacks from Republicans, pointing to recent ads by Rogers’ allies that claim El-Sayed 'wants to litigate ancient grievances' and views the U.S. as 'too white or too proud.' Vice President JD Vance has also weighed in, calling El-Sayed a 'shadowy figure' who seeks to wield power in a country he allegedly 'hates.'
Policy Contrasts and Campaign Dynamics
El-Sayed’s progressive platform stands in stark contrast to Rogers’ more conventional Republican messaging. While El-Sayed has focused on healthcare expansion, economic justice, and foreign policy reform, Rogers has emphasized law enforcement credentials, national security, and opposition to progressive policies. The race is seen as critical for both parties: Democrats need to defend vulnerable seats to maintain Senate control, while Republicans aim to flip Michigan, a state Trump narrowly won in 2016 and 2020.
Recent polling suggests El-Sayed’s resilience in the face of attacks. A CBS Detroit/TV stations poll showed him leading Rogers by 7 points, while other surveys have shown a tighter race. El-Sayed’s campaign has leaned into grassroots organizing, particularly in Macomb County, a historically working-class suburb that has trended Republican in recent years but remains a key battleground.
What’s Next in the Race
With Election Day approaching, both campaigns are intensifying their efforts. El-Sayed has continued to highlight his background as a doctor and community leader, while Rogers has sought to tie him to national Democratic priorities that may not resonate in Michigan. The outcome of the race could have national implications, particularly if it influences broader trends in how Arab American and Muslim voters engage with the Republican Party in future elections.