El-Sayed blames Trump's Muslim attacks on rising costs
The Democratic Senate candidate argues the president's rhetoric serves as a distraction from high gasoline prices and foreign policy decisions.
By Jason Kovalenko ·
Abdul El-Sayed rejected President Donald Trump's recent characterization of him as a jihadist during a news conference in Detroit on Monday. The Democratic candidate described the attacks as deceptions lacking evidence, aiming to shift focus away from the administration's record on domestic issues.
El-Sayed pointed to specific economic pressures affecting voters, including petrol prices and the war on Iran. He stated that Republicans are ignoring the government's core responsibilities to provide clean air, clean water, and affordable goods. According to El-Sayed, the current leadership created these problems through its own actions.
The comments followed a rally in Michigan on Sunday where Trump made repeated claims against the Senate candidate. The president accused El-Sayed of wanting to impose Sharia law on the country. Trump suggested that El-Sayed would require a metal detector before entering the Senate, a physical threat the candidate laughed off by referencing his University of Michigan Wolverine claws.
The Michigan Senate race remains tight, pitting the progressive Democrat against former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers. The outcome could determine the Senate majority for the next two years. Rogers has centered his campaign on allegations linking El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and Hezbollah. El-Sayed called these connections unfounded.
El-Sayed addressed the misrepresentation of his name as Mohamed by the president. He argued that his faith and name are not the causes of unaffordable gas, groceries, rent, or healthcare costs. He noted that most Americans reject such narrow views of the country.
The candidate described the opposition as loud and small-minded, contrasting them with the open-minded majority in the state. He emphasized that Michiganders are bigger than these distractions. The race continues as both campaigns target voters in the key state.
The contest highlights the intensity of the 2026 midterms in a state where public health and economic stability are top concerns for working families. El-Sayed's former role as a public health official informs his approach to these issues.
