Trump escalates anti-Muslim rhetoric at Michigan rally, targeting Muslim Senate candidate

President claims Abdul El-Sayed poses security threat; El-Sayed denies extremism ties

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

President Trump escalated anti-Muslim rhetoric at a Michigan rally for GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers on Monday, targeting Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed by calling him a 'jihadist' and baselessly accusing him of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and wanting to impose sharia law. El-Sayed has repeatedly denied ties to extremist groups, with no evidence emerging to support the claims.

President Trump, speaking at a Michigan rally for GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers, singled out Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed's Muslim faith, suggesting he posed a security threat. 'He would be the only senator that will have to go through a metal detector before he's allowed to go into the Senate,' Trump said. He also called El-Sayed a 'jihadist' and repeated unsubstantiated allegations that El-Sayed has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed has consistently denied such ties.

Republican political consultant Dennis Darnoi told Axios the rhetoric 'doesn't really move the needle one way or the other' in Michigan, noting it could 'energize and mobilize' Trump's base but also risk discouraging Jewish and Black Democrats who backed El-Sayed's primary opponent. A Michigan State University poll released Monday found that 38% of likely Michigan voters said they would be less likely to support a Muslim candidate, while 58% said it would make no difference, and 52% said a Trump endorsement would make them less likely to support a politician.

Haris Tarin, vice president of policy and programming at the Muslim Public Affairs Council, told Axios that Trump and some in the GOP 'have chosen to use bigotry and racism' as their election strategy 'because there's no other message they're able to run on.' He predicted the attacks would have 'an opposite effect for both American Muslims and Americans in general.'

The White House defended the president, saying in a statement to Axios that 'President Trump is calling out the radical extremists stoking division, defrauding their communities, and perpetuating violence' and that he 'will continue to unapologetically fight for American greatness and call out extremists like Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed without apology.'

Trump has previously targeted Somali Americans and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and has called Somali immigrants 'garbage.'

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The rhetoric could energize Trump's base in close races but risks alienating moderate and independent voters.
It highlights the role of religious identity in U.S. political campaigns and its effect on Muslim American communities.
The outcome in Michigan could signal whether anti-Muslim attacks are a viable strategy or a liability in swing states.

Background

President Trump has a history of anti-Muslim comments, including targeting Somali immigrants and Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. His 2026 midterm campaign has focused on cultural and security themes, with Muslim politicians and communities frequently singled out. Michigan has a significant Arab American and Muslim population, making such rhetoric particularly charged.

Key Perspectives

Donald Trump and White House: In a statement, the White House said the president is 'calling out the radical extremists stoking division, defrauding their communities, and perpetuating violence' and will 'continue to unapologetically fight for American greatness and call out extremists like Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed without apology.' Abdul El-Sayed: The Democratic nominee has repeatedly denied ties to extremist groups; his campaign did not respond to a request for comment from Axios. Dennis Darnoi (Republican political consultant): Told Axios the rhetoric 'doesn't really move the needle one way or the other' in Michigan, could energize Trump's base but also minimize Democratic turnout in some areas to help Republicans win close statewide races. Haris Tarin (Muslim Public Affairs Council): Said Trump and some Republicans 'have chosen to use bigotry and racism' because they have no other message, and predicted the attacks would backfire.

What to Watch

Whether moderates and independents are swayed by or reject the anti-Muslim language in the final days before the election.
The reaction from Michigan's Muslim, Jewish, and Black communities, who could shift turnout.
Any further escalation of such rhetoric from Trump or other Republican candidates ahead of election day.

Sources

Trump escalates anti-Muslim rhetoric before midterms · Axios

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe headline says Trump escalated anti-Muslim rhetoric at a Michigan rally, targeting a Muslim Senate candidate.Axios: “Trump's Monday appearance at a Michigan rally for GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers included several barbs at Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed's Muslim faith.”
Sources say otherwiseThe summary attributes the denial of extremist ties to President Trump.Axios: “El-Sayed has repeatedly denied ties to extremist groups”
SupportedThe summary says Trump claimed El-Sayed posed a security threat.Axios: “Trump suggested that El-Sayed posed a security threat”
Partly supportedThe opening says no evidence has emerged to support all of the claims against El-Sayed.Axios: “no evidence has emerged linking him to the Muslim Brotherhood.”
SupportedTrump said El-Sayed would have to go through a metal detector before entering the Senate.Axios: “"He would be the only senator that will have to go through a metal detector before he's allowed to go into the Senate."”
SupportedTrump called El-Sayed a “jihadist” and accused him of wanting to impose sharia law and having Muslim Brotherhood ties.Axios: “He also called El-Sayed a "jihadist," baselessly claimed the Senate candidate wants to impose sharia law in Michigan, and again accused him of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.”
SupportedDarnoi said Trump's rhetoric “doesn't really move the needle one way or the other” in Michigan.Axios: “Republican political consultant Dennis Darnoi told Axios that Trump's rhetoric "doesn't really move the needle one way or the other" in Michigan”
SupportedThe story reports that 38% of likely Michigan voters would be less likely to support a Muslim candidate.Axios: “About 38% of Michigan likely voters said they would be less likely to support a Muslim candidate”
SupportedThe story reports that 58% said a Muslim candidate would make no difference to their support.Axios: “58% said a candidate's being Muslim would make no difference”
Not in the sourcesThe White House statement says, in quotation marks, “he will continue to unapologetically fight for American greatness” and call out extremists.Axios: “"The President will continue to unapologetically fight for American greatness and call out extremists like Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed without apology."”

Correction

27 October 2026An earlier version of this story's subheadline attributed the denial of extremist ties to President Trump. The denial was made by Abdul El-Sayed.