Get you up to speed: Trump attacks El-Sayed over his faith during Michigan rally, calls him “jihadist”
President Trump held a rally at McMorran Place in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday to support Republican candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. During his speech, he endorsed Republican nominee Mike Rogers for U.S. Senate and referred to Rogers’ opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, calling him a “jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member.”
Authorities have not provided details regarding any upcoming events or statements from Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign in response to President Trump’s remarks. The campaign timeline is intensifying as the midterm elections approach on 3 November, with recent debates and rallies shaping the candidates’ strategies.
Former President Barack Obama campaigned in Detroit on Saturday to support Abdul El-Sayed and other Democratic candidates, while El-Sayed appeared with Senator Bernie Sanders, who accused Trump and his allies of fostering hatred and divisiveness. Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to campaign for Republicans in Howell, Michigan, on Tuesday, as the midterm elections approach on November 3.
What remains unclear — WTX US News Detroit has not received a response from El-Sayed’s campaign regarding Trump’s “jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member” remark.
Trump criticises El-Sayed’s faith, labels him a jihadist at Michigan rally
President Trump is making his case for Republican candidates in Michigan. He spoke at a rally in Port Huron on Sunday ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
During his speech at McMorran Place, the president said Michigan was built by “American patriots who shed their blood, sweat and tears.” He praised Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, as “one of the most respected men in Washington” and targeted Rogers’ Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed.
“I’m here to keep a jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member from becoming a United States senator,” Mr. Trump said.
WTX US News Detroit has reached out to El-Sayed’s campaign for comment on the president’s visit and Mr. Trump calling El-Sayed a “jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member,” but has yet to hear back.
At a town hall meeting earlier this month in Caro, Michigan, a man asked the U.S. Senate nominee whether he would disavow the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed said “absolutely.”
Rogers and El-Sayed clashed on Wednesday during their second, and final debate in Southfield, Michigan.
Mr. Trump also voiced support for Republican gubernatorial candidate John James, saying he would “fight for jobs” and “lower prices.”
On Saturday, former President Barack Obama was in Detroit to drum up support for El-Sayed, Democratic nominee for Michigan governor Jocelyn Benson and other candidates for state office.
El-Sayed appeared at a rally with Sen. Bernie Sanders at the DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids on Sunday evening.
Sanders said Mr. Trump and his allies were using Islamophobia because they have “nothing to say” about the issues most important to working people, such as health care, housing and income inequality.
“All they can do is foment hatred and divisiveness,” Sanders said.
Vice President JD Vance is set to stump for Republicans at CHI Aviation in Howell, Michigan, on Tuesday.