Donald Trump Labels Michigan Senate Candidate a Radical Jihadist

President Donald Trump launched a series of attacks against Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, labeling him a "radical jihadist" and a "Jihadist lunatic." During a campaign rally in Clarksville, Tennessee, Trump defended his decision to refer to El-Sayed by his middle name, Mohamed, stating, "I can call him whatever the hell I want." Trump also amplified social media posts baselessly claiming El-Sayed intends to bring Sharia law to the United States.

Trump further promoted warnings from musician Kid Rock, who characterized El-Sayed as "a wolf in sheep’s clothing" during a Fox News interview. Rock warned of a potential "civil war over religious ideology" involving the Muslim population in Michigan and argued that no religious ideology should override the U.S. Constitution. These comments were echoed at a rally in Clarksville, where Rock opposed Islamist extremists.

El-Sayed, a former public health official who could be the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, responded by stating that Trump is attacking all Muslims and using religion to distract from economic issues such as healthcare and grocery costs. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the president's rhetoric as "bigoted bulls--t."

The attacks come as El-Sayed leads Republican candidate Mike Rogers in two polls by 2 and 6 points, respectively. Reports on campaign spending vary, with one source citing $86 million in Republican spending against $41 million for Democrats, while another reports $78 million for Republicans and $63 million for Democrats.