Trump calls Michigan Senate rival a 'jihadist' at Port Huron rally

President Donald Trump labeled Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed a "jihadist" on Sunday, a remark that escalated tensions in one of the nation’s most contested races. Speaking in Port Huron, the president suggested El-Sayed would require a metal detector to enter the Senate chamber, a comparison he drew to the passengers who fought back against hijackers on United Flight 93. Trump also repeatedly invoked the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to frame the Democrat as a national security threat.

Bishara Bahbah, a founder of the group Arab Americans for Trump, rebuked the president’s language in a phone interview. Bahbah, who helped lead the administration’s outreach to Arab American voters in 2024, called the statements "out of line" and "racist." He noted that the organization has since changed its name to Arab Americans for Peace. "They are crossing a red line," Bahbah said, adding that the comments were unacceptable to both Muslim and Christian Arab communities.

El-Sayed, a former Detroit health official, responded at a rally in Grand Rapids later Sunday. He said he does not care how Trump pronounces his name or misrepresents it. "I don't even care that he remembers my whole name because he can just go on and call me 'senator' after November," El-Sayed said. "I will be Senator Muhammad to you, bro." The comment drew cheers from the crowd.

The race between El-Sayed and Republican challenger Mike Rogers is a key contest that could determine control of the Senate. Rogers has focused his campaign on linking El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamic movement with branches designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government. El-Sayed has denied any affiliation, though his half-sister wrote in 2012 that their family had ties to the group in the early 1970s. El-Sayed was raised by his father after his parents divorced when he was young.

Trump’s visit to Port Huron, a border city near Detroit, was notable for its proximity to Dearborn. The president won that city in 2024, a rare feat for a Republican given the area’s large Arab American population. During the rally, Trump also criticized Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, stating he came to Michigan to stop a "jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member" from becoming a senator. He did not announce new economic investments for the state, instead citing existing commitments from domestic automakers.

The event featured a performance by rapper Nicki Minaj, who urged voters to support the state’s Republican ticket. The appearance followed a moment where Trump commented on Minaj’s posterior. "I hope Nicki wasn't insulted, but we love Nicki," the president said after she stood for the crowd. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who also spoke in Grand Rapids, argued that Trump’s use of Islamophobia stemmed from a lack of substantive policy positions on health care and housing.

El-Sayed has faced other campaign flashpoints, including criticism over his response to a synagogue attack in the Detroit area. He later apologized for saying "hurt people hurt people," clarifying that he was not trying to justify the incident. The race remains tight, with both candidates trading attacks on loyalty and faith in their final weeks of campaigning.