Trump labels El-Sayed ‘jihadist’ at Port Huron rally
Trump used claims characterized by news outlets as anti-Muslim to attack Democrat Abdul El-Sayed while backing Republican Mike Rogers.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
At the Trump Port Huron rally on Oct. 25, President Donald Trump made claims about Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed that news outlets characterized as anti-Muslim, while campaigning for former congressman and Republican nominee Mike Rogers.
Trump called El-Sayed a “jihadist” and a “Muslim Brotherhood member” during the event at McMorran Place Sports & Entertainment Center, according to NBC News and The Associated Press. El-Sayed has repeatedly denied having personal or family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, disavowed the group and said he is loyal to the United States, AP reported.
What did Trump say about Abdul El-Sayed?
Trump told the Port Huron crowd that he was in Michigan to prevent El-Sayed from becoming a U.S. senator, according to the reports. He also alleged that El-Sayed had supported jihadists and said he should have to pass through a metal detector before entering the Senate.
The reports describe Trump making those allegations. El-Sayed, a former public health official, has rejected them, and Democrats have described the Republican attacks as targeting his Muslim faith and Egyptian heritage, AP reported.
Trump also invoked the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as he introduced David Beamer, father of Todd Beamer, who died aboard United Flight 93. Trump compared stopping El-Sayed’s election to stopping a jihadist from entering the Capitol, according to NBC News and AP.
David Beamer then appeared onstage. The Associated Press reported that Trump’s remarks linked the Senate contest with the Flight 93 passengers’ actions during the hijacking.
Who is running in Michigan’s Senate race?
El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee facing Rogers in the Nov. 3 contest to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. Rogers, who has Trump’s backing, repeated allegations tying El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood before Trump spoke, AP reported.
If elected, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim U.S. senator, according to AP. The rally was also held to support Republican gubernatorial candidate John James, Michigan Advance reported.
Trump praised Rogers at the event, calling him “apple pie” and “perfect,” Michigan Advance reported. But the president’s sharpest remarks centered on El-Sayed, whose faith and alleged connections have become a prominent line of attack in the race.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.