Trump escalates anti-Muslim rhetoric against Michigan Senate candidate before midterms

Summary

President Trump has increasingly singled out Muslim politicians and communities to rally his base in the final push before election day. At a Michigan rally on Monday for GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers, he suggested Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed posed a security threat, called him a "jihadist," baselessly claimed he wants to impose sharia law in Michigan, and again accused him of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed has repeatedly denied ties to extremist groups, and no evidence has emerged linking him to the Muslim Brotherhood; his campaign did not respond to a request for comment. A Michigan State University poll released Monday found that about 38% of likely voters would be less likely to support a Muslim candidate, while 58% said a candidate's being Muslim would make no difference. Republican consultant Dennis Darnoi told Axios the rhetoric could energize Trump's base but could also discourage some Jewish and Black Democrats who backed El-Sayed's primary opponent, Haley Stevens, from supporting him in November.

Timeline

1. Axios

   27 Oct 2026, 21:06 UTCSource ↗

   Axios reports that Trump's Monday Michigan rally for Mike Rogers included several attacks on Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed's Muslim faith, including suggesting he posed a security threat and calling him a "jihadist."