Trump attacks Muslim Democrat Senate nominee as extremist

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 22:49 · Archive

Donald Trump has escalated attacks on Muslim Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, accusing him of ties to jihadist extremism.

US President Donald Trump has escalated attacks on Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, questioning the Muslim candidate's loyalties to the US and repeatedly trying to tie him to extremism. At a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday, Trump said he was there 'to keep a jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member from becoming a United States senator'. The Republican president has been attacking El-Sayed's faith throughout the campaign and claiming his past statements and background show sympathy for extremists. He invoked the September 11 terrorist attacks, drawing a comparison between stopping El-Sayed from entering the Senate and passengers who fought back against hijackers aboard United Flight 93.

El-Sayed, a former public health official, has repeatedly said he is loyal to the US and disavowed the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamic movement with branches designated by the US government as terrorist organisations. Democrats have denounced the Republican claims as attacks on El-Sayed's faith and his Egyptian heritage. If elected, El-Sayed would be the first Muslim senator.

El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman backed by Trump, in the November 3 race to succeed retiring Democrat Gary Peters. The race has taken on significance beyond Michigan, with Republicans casting El-Sayed as a symbol of a Democratic Party moving further to the left. Progressives see his candidacy as a test of whether their agenda can win in a battleground state ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

How it is being reported

• Trump escalates rhetoric against Democrat candidateDonald Trump has ramped up his attacks on a Muslim Democratic Senate nominee, accusing him of ties him to jihadist extremism.The West Australian · 25 Oct, 22:17
• Trump escalates rhetoric against Democrat candidateDonald Trump has ramped up his attacks on a Muslim Democratic Senate nominee, accusing him of ties him to jihadist extremism.Perth Now · 25 Oct, 22:17

In this story: Donald Trump · Abdul El-Sayed · Mike Rogers · Gary Peters · Michigan · Democratic Party · Muslim Brotherhood

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