Addressing a crowd of supporters at McMorran Place on Sunday, former President Donald Trump leveled sharp personal attacks against Michigan Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, using inflammatory language that has become a central point of contention in the lead-up to the November 3 midterm elections.
During his speech in Port Huron, Trump positioned the state’s political future as a battle for national identity, stating that Michigan was built by “American patriots who shed their blood, sweat and tears.” The former president used the platform to bolster Republican Mike Rogers, whom he called “one of the most respected men in Washington,” while directing his focus toward Rogers’ opponent, El-Sayed.
“I’m here to keep a jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member from becoming a United States senator,” Trump told the audience. The remark represents a significant escalation in campaign rhetoric, targeting El-Sayed’s background and religious identity.
El-Sayed has previously faced and addressed questions regarding the Muslim Brotherhood. During a town hall meeting earlier this month in Caro, Michigan, a constituent asked the candidate directly if he would disavow the group. El-Sayed replied, “Absolutely.” The tension between the campaigns was also evident on Wednesday during the second and final debate between Rogers and El-Sayed in Southfield.
Trump’s visit also included a strong endorsement of Republican gubernatorial candidate John James. Trump told the crowd that James would “fight for jobs” and work to “lower prices,” framing the Republican ticket as the primary solution to the state’s economic challenges.
Democratic leaders in the state quickly condemned Trump’s rhetoric and the local GOP’s association with it. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel argued that by appearing alongside Trump, candidates like Rogers and James were endorsing a “toxic agenda.”
“By standing with Donald Trump today, Mike Rogers, John James, and Michigan Republicans made it clear they are fully endorsing and ready to rubber stamp Trump’s toxic agenda,” Hertel said in a statement released after the event.
The Port Huron rally follows an intensive weekend of campaigning across Michigan by high-profile surrogates from both parties. On Saturday, former President Barack Obama appeared in Detroit to rally support for El-Sayed, Democratic nominee for Michigan governor Jocelyn Benson, and other state-level candidates.
On Sunday evening, Senator Bernie Sanders joined El-Sayed for a rally at the DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. Sanders addressed the former president’s comments directly, characterizing the use of Islamophobia as a tactic used when candidates have “nothing to say” about substantive issues like health care, housing, and income inequality.
“All they can do is foment hatred and divisiveness,” Sanders said during the Grand Rapids event.
The flurry of campaign activity is set to continue through the week. Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit CHI Aviation in Howell, Michigan, on Tuesday to continue stumping for the Republican ticket as the midterm cycle enters its final phase.
