Trump attacks El-Sayed in Michigan

President Donald Trump intensified anti-Muslim rhetoric against Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on Sunday, portraying him as a national security threat and questioning his loyalty to the United States.

Trump's specific accusations

Trump called El-Sayed, a former Detroit health official, a jihadist who was on the side of the terrorists and would have to go through a metal detector before entering the Senate.

“on the side of the terrorists”

Trump invokes September eleventh

Trump repeatedly invoked the September eleventh, two thousand one terrorist attacks, comparing stopping El-Sayed from the Senate chamber to passengers who fought back against hijackers aboard United Flight ninety-three.

El-Sayed's response and background

El-Sayed, who would become the nation's first Muslim senator if elected, has called attacks on his loyalty shameful and repeatedly denied any ties to extremist groups.

Arab American ally condemns Trump

Bishara Bahbah, founder of Arab Americans for Trump, condemned the president's remarks as out of line, crossing a red line, and racist in a phone interview.

“The president's statements are out of line. They are crossing a red line. They are racist.”

Why Trump is escalating attacks

With Republicans on the defensive over inflation, soaring fuel prices and the Iran war, Trump has been trying to generate turnout by claiming El-Sayed and other Democrats are existential threats.

The stakes in Michigan

Michigan's Senate race between El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers is among a handful of contests that could determine control of the chamber.

Trump's history with Muslim countries

Trump, who imposed a travel ban targeting several predominantly Muslim countries during his first term, has increasingly leaned into anti-Muslim rhetoric as Election Day approaches.

El-Sayed's defiant response

Responding to Trump at a Grand Rapids rally later Sunday, El-Sayed told supporters he does not care how Trump pronounces his name, saying Trump can just call him senator after November.

“I will be Senator Muhammad to you, bro.”

Republican strategy: Muslim Brotherhood link

Central to Republicans' strategy against El-Sayed has been an effort to link him to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamic movement with branches designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government.

No evidence of El-Sayed connection

There is no evidence that El-Sayed has any affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood. His half-sister wrote on social media in two thousand twelve that her family had long been involved with the organization.

Bernie Sanders defends El-Sayed

Senator Bernie Sanders, speaking at the Grand Rapids rally, said Trump and his allies were using Islamophobia because they have nothing to say about issues most important to working people like health care and housing.

“All they can do is foment hatred and divisiveness.”