Democrats rally behind El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race after Trump's attacks

Democratic leaders are closing ranks around Abdul El-Sayed, the party's nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, after a wave of attacks from President Donald Trump and his allies. The support comes in the last days before Tuesday's election, and it is not always warm. ¹

At a Port Huron rally, Trump called El-Sayed a "jihadist" and a "Muslim Brotherhood member," the Guardian reported. Trump has also repeatedly called him "Mohammed" this month. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has run ads using his full name, Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed. ¹

On tapeAssociated Press · Oct 30

▶1:19

El-Sayed was born in Michigan to Egyptian immigrants. He says the attacks are meant to distract voters from the cost of gas, groceries and health care. ¹

He knows my name is Abdul. He says it every day,

Obama's first public show of support since the primary

Former President Barack Obama appeared with El-Sayed in Detroit on the first day of early voting. It was his first public show of support since the August primary. ¹ The event was held at Cass Technical High School, and Democratic governor nominee Jocelyn Benson also took part. ²

From Channel GOPEl-Sayed answers RFK Jr.'s claim about Arab scienceAbdul El-Sayed · 145 plays · captioned, with the source named

Obama compared the attacks on El-Sayed's name to those he faced himself. ¹ He told the crowd, "We have seen this movie before. I starred in it." ²

I remind them his name was Barack,

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont rallied with El-Sayed in Grand Rapids, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York toured the state with him. Each has given $1 million to his campaign. ¹

A cautious embrace

El-Sayed narrowly won the August primary over Rep. Haley Stevens, who was backed by much of the party establishment. He supports Medicare for All, which is a single government health plan for everyone. He also wants to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement and end U.S. military aid to Israel. ¹

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed him but said El-Sayed's views on Israel are "much different than mine." Asked on CNN whether she was fully behind him, Stevens said she was "on the team." The two are set to campaign together on Sunday, their first joint public appearance in months. ¹

Republicans are also attacking him. Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that El-Sayed is "anti-Jew." El-Sayed rejects the charge. ¹ A Rogers campaign adviser said Obama's visit showed weakness among Michigan Democrats. ²

What the polls show

A Marist poll last week put El-Sayed at 50% and Rogers at 48% among likely voters. ¹ As of early October, El-Sayed trailed by nearly two to one in ad spending. ¹ Trump won Michigan by less than two points in 2024. ¹

Analysis: A narrow race like this may depend on turnout in places like Wayne County, which includes Detroit. Stevens beat El-Sayed there in the primary, about 51% to 45%. ¹ If El-Sayed wins, he would be the first Muslim U.S. senator. ¹

The Record

1. Aug 4, 2026El-Sayed narrowly beat Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, by less than a point ¹
2. Oct 24, 2026Obama joins El-Sayed and Jocelyn Benson at a Detroit rally on the first day of early voting ¹²
3. Nov 1, 2026El-Sayed and Stevens are set to campaign together, two days before Election Day ¹

Sources

1. The Guardian, “As Trump escalates extreme attacks, Democrats – finally – rally round El-Sayed” (2026-10-30). theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/30/abdul-el-sayed-michigan-
2. TheGrio, “Obama Detroit rally with Abdul El-Sayed and Benson” (2026-10-26). thegrio.com/2026/10/26/obama-detroit-rally-abdul-el-sayed-be

Found an error? Tell the newsroom. Corrections are noted at the top of the story.