President Donald Trump delivered a harsh critique of Democratic US Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed during a campaign rally in Iowa on Sunday. Throughout the event, Trump repeatedly referred to the Michigan progressive as a "jihadist," aiming his comments at a tightly contested race that is expected to play a decisive role in determining Senate control following Tuesday's midterm elections.
The President attacked El-Sayed, a practicing Muslim, using what were described as brazenly racist terms. Trump suggested that if El-Sayed were elected, Congress would require a "special metal detector" for him. He further warned voters, stating, "If you vote for this jihadist lunatic that wants to destroy you, you're crazy."
The Michigan Senate race has recently attracted significant national attention following developments involving Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the August primary. Stevens declined to campaign with El-Sayed after he refused to publicly disavow an outside political ad linking rising prices to US military support for Israel's war on Gaza. In response, El-Sayed told Stevens to stay away from a joint campaign event scheduled for Sunday. Stevens subsequently endorsed Mike Rogers, El-Sayed's Republican opponent. This high-profile defection drew condemnation from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is Jewish.
In contrast to Schumer's reaction, Trump praised Stevens for turning against El-Sayed and encouraged her to join the Republican Party. "It was an incredible thing," Trump said. "I'd love her to join the Republican party. I think that could happen." He then lauded Rogers using metaphorical language, describing him as "apple pie" and asserting that the country needs such figures rather than "communists or jihadists, the Muslim Brotherhood."
Trump also noted that he had little time to watch football over the weekend due to his extensive travel schedule for rallies. Emphasizing his active role in the election cycle, he told the crowd, "Pretend I'm on the ballot. Essentially, I am on the ballot."
Sources: The Guardian World.