Trump Sparks Backlash After Invoking 9/11 in Attack on El-Sayed in Michigan

President Donald Trump is facing widespread criticism after invoking the September 11 attacks during a verbal assault on Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan. The comments were made at a rally in Michigan on Sunday amid a heated and closely watched race set for November 3.

Trump’s Controversial Rally Remarks

At the rally, President Trump accused El-Sayed of being “a jihadist” and suggested he would “have to go through a metal detector before he’s allowed to go into the Senate.” Trump introduced as a guest speaker the father of Todd Beamer, a passenger who fought back against the hijackers on United Airlines Flight 93 during the 9/11 attacks. The president said, “Michigan needs to stand up and fight, just like Todd did, to stop a jihadist from walking into the Capitol.”

Trump further warned that if El-Sayed and the Democrats win, they would “open the floodgates and invite hordes of jihadis to our shores, creating a nightmare of violence and terror until you cannot even have a Christmas.” He also accused El-Sayed and his family of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization designated earlier this year by Trump as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in certain chapters.

Responses from El-Sayed and Allies

El-Sayed responded to Trump’s remarks by addressing the use of his middle name, Mohamed, saying during his own rally, “I’ll be Senator Mohamed to you, bro.” He criticized the focus on his faith and name as a distraction from pressing issues, stating, “They think that by pointing at my name and my faith, that somehow you’re going to ignore the fact that you can’t afford your gas or your groceries, can’t see a doctor.”

Senator Bernie Sanders, appearing alongside El-Sayed, condemned the Islamophobic attack, commenting, “The reason they are using Islamophobia against Abdul is because they have nothing to say about the real issues.” El-Sayed, a former public health official born in the U.S. to Egyptian parents, would become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate if victorious.

Allegations and Political Context

Trump and El-Sayed’s Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, have both raised questions about El-Sayed’s alleged connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, citing writings and social media posts from over a decade ago. A 2012 social media post by El-Sayed’s half-sister referenced the Muslim Brotherhood, though El-Sayed’s team has distanced him from those comments. El-Sayed himself has denied any connections and reaffirmed his loyalty to the United States, stating at a recent town hall, “Absolutely” when asked if he would disavow the Muslim Brotherhood.

Rogers, who is the current Republican candidate for the Senate seat, was previously chair of the House Intelligence Committee and has previously called for cautious engagement with moderate Muslim Brotherhood individuals, according to a 2012 Reuters interview.

Criticism from Allies and Supporters

Trump’s attacks have drawn condemnation even from some of his past supporters. Bishara Bahbah, founder of Arab Americans for Trump, called the president’s statements “out of line” and “crossing a red line,” describing them as “racist.” Bahbah’s group had played a role in Trump’s 2024 election victories in Michigan and other swing states with significant Arab American populations.

With the Michigan Senate race among the most competitive in the midterm elections, the escalating rhetoric underscores the bitter and contentious atmosphere surrounding this critical seat, currently held by the Democrats and seen as pivotal for control of Congress.

As the November 3 election approaches, the fallout from President Trump’s 9/11 references and Islamophobic language is expected to remain a key issue in the campaign, reflecting broader national tensions ahead of the midterms.