Donald Trump Calls Democratic Candidates Jihadists in Oval Office

President Donald Trump described Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterm elections as "jihadists" during a Monday press briefing in the Oval Office. Trump linked this rhetoric to communism, claiming such figures are being elected across the country, and specifically targeted people of Somali descent by stating they "are not smart" and lack aptitude.

This escalation follows recent primary victories by Muslim politicians, including Democratic Senate candidate Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed in Michigan. Other Republicans have amplified the rhetoric; Representative Nancy Mace described Muslims in public office as "trojan horse[s]" and a threat to national security, while Senator Tommy Tuberville labeled El-Sayed a "radical Islamist" and a "terrorist."

Senator Bill Cassidy condemned these statements, arguing that individuals should be treated as individuals. In response to a social media post by Trump, El-Sayed characterized the president and first lady as people who "don't like each other but joint in the interest of making billions of dollars off of you."