El-Sayed responds to being called a 'jihadist': 'I'll be Senator Mohamed'

After President Donald Trump called him a "jihadist" at a rally in Port Huron, Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed hit back at his own rally in Grand Rapids, pointing to the Trump family's Gulf business ties and urging voters to focus on prices and health care.

President Donald Trump escalated his attacks on Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, at a rally in Port Huron on Sunday, saying he had come "to keep a jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member from becoming a United States senator." Trump also called El-Sayed "Mohammed" and falsely claimed he wants the country to adopt Sharia law. El-Sayed has denied any ties to the Islamist group.

Speaking at a rally in Grand Rapids the same evening, El-Sayed said the president takes personal offense at his first name. "I'll be Senator Mohamed to you, bro," he said, adding that Trump could call him "senator" after November.

President Donald Trump speaks at an event in April 2026

El-Sayed also turned to the Trump family's foreign business ties, saying the Saudis fund the private equity firm of Trump's son-in-law and that Qatar gave Trump a $400 million private jet. He argued that high prices and health care are the issues that matter to Michigan voters.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, who appeared at the Grand Rapids event, said Trump and his allies were turning to Islamophobia because they have "nothing to say" about the issues most important to working people. Bishara Bahbah, a founder of Arab Americans for Trump, called the president's comments racist. El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers in the Nov. 3 election.

Have a story, event or announcement of your own?Send us your news on WhatsApp

Spotted an error in this story?Report it on WhatsApp

Share on all social platforms