Trump attacks Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, drawing criticism from Arab-American leader

President Donald Trump intensified attacks on Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at a rally in Port Huron, calling the former Detroit health official a "jihadist" and saying he would need to pass through a metal detector before entering the Senate chamber. Trump invoked the September 11 attacks and compared stopping El-Sayed to the passengers who resisted hijackers on United Flight 93.

El-Sayed, who would become the nation’s first Muslim senator if elected, rejected the accusations, describing the attacks on his loyalty as "shameful" and denying any ties to extremist groups. He later told supporters in Grand Rapids that he did not mind how Trump pronounced his name, adding, "I will be Senator Muhammad to you, bro."

Bishara Bahbah, a founder of Arab Americans for Trump, said the president’s remarks were "out of line" and crossed a "red line," calling them racist. Bahbah, whose organization has since been renamed Arab Americans for Peace, warned that the comments would be remembered by voters on November 3.

Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, who is also contesting the seat, echoed the loyalty accusations, asking El-Sayed whether he was "for America, or for these terrorist groups overseas?" El-Sayed called the questioning "shameful" and affirmed his pride in the Constitution’s guarantee of religious freedom.

The rally also featured a performance by rapper Nicki Minaj, who urged voters to support the Republican ticket. Trump’s remarks about Minaj’s appearance were noted by observers but did not include new economic promises for Michigan.

The exchange comes as the Michigan Senate race, one of several that could determine control of the U.S. Senate, remains tightly contested ahead of the November election.