JD Vance links Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed to Paris protests

Republican Senate candidate JD Vance intensified criticism of Democratic opponent Abdul El-Sayed during a campaign stop in Howell, Michigan, drawing a connection between El-Sayed’s political positions and recent protests in Paris. Vance described the French demonstrations as “hordes of masked rioters, many from distant lands, taking over historic city centers” and suggested that if similar unrest occurred in the United States, “the Hasan Pikers and El-Sayed would be right there leading them and cheering them on.”

“The scene of destruction in Paris may be an ocean away, but ask yourselves: are they really so hard to imagine here in the United States of America?” Vance said.

Vance also referenced left-wing commentator Hasan Piker, whom he said was linked to El-Sayed. The remarks came as President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly used El-Sayed’s middle name Mohamed, warned Michigan voters to “stand up and fight” against the candidate.

El-Sayed responded at his own rally, stating that attacks on his name and faith distract from issues such as the cost of gas, groceries and healthcare.

Political observers noted that the campaign has featured a heightened level of anti-Muslim rhetoric, with Democratic Senator Chris Murphy urging attention to what he described as a coordinated effort to delegitimize Muslim Americans.