Reports Link Islamic Governments and Groups to U.S. Political Influence

Reports and political analysis during the 2026 primary season indicate that foreign interference in United States politics is driven by Islamic governments and terror-tied organizations. While candidates such as Rep. Thomas Massie and Cori Bush attributed their electoral losses to the influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, other data suggests a different pattern of foreign spending.

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate in Michigan who won his primary, allegedly received $200,000 from Jukaku Tayeb, a founding member of the Islamic Society of North America, and over $115,000 from individuals linked to the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The Islamic Society of North America and the Council on American-Islamic Relations have both been tied to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, with the latter designated as a terrorist group by Florida, Texas, and the United Arab Emirates.

State-level influence is also significant, with the Government of Saudi Arabia spending nearly $92 million last year to lobby in Washington, the highest amount of any foreign nation. Additionally, the Government of Qatar has emerged as a major funder of American higher education and media outlets, while maintaining ownership of U.S. assets including the Empire State Building and stakes in the Washington Wizards.