Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed clashed with Fox News host Bret Baier in an interview that aired Friday evening. The dispute was over questions about his alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist political group. 1
Baier began asking about accusations that El-Sayed's Republican opponent, former Rep. Mike Rogers, has made repeatedly. El-Sayed cut in. 1
You are asking this question to raise a question about whether or not I have dual loyalty.
Baier replied that he was not doing that, and went back to reading the Rogers campaign's accusations. El-Sayed interrupted again, said Baier was taking things out of context and asked him to be a journalist. 1
I have never been a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, I never will be a member of the Muslim Brotherhood
Rogers repeats the claim
After the interview aired, Rogers appeared on Baier's show, "Special Report with Bret Baier." He repeated his claim that El-Sayed "has adopted the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood." 1
From Channel GOPEl-Sayed lists Mike Rogers' corporate donorsAbdul El-Sayed · 138 plays · captioned, with the source named
Rogers and other Republicans point to a 2012 open letter that El-Sayed signed. It was addressed to Mohamed Morsi, then Egypt's newly elected president, whose party was the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood. The signers urged Morsi "to purge the media and police as quickly as possible." 1
El-Sayed's campaign has repeatedly denied any connection to the group, and he has publicly disavowed it. 1 At a Michigan town hall earlier this month, asked whether he would disavow the Muslim Brotherhood, he answered, "Sure, yeah. Absolutely." 2
Questions about loyalty
El-Sayed would be the first Muslim U.S. senator if he wins Michigan's open seat. He has faced many attacks over his family background and faith, including past comments by his mother and half-sister. 1
He has said the questions imply he has "dual loyalties." He has compared his situation to the questions John F. Kennedy faced about his religious loyalties. 2
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, defended him. She said of the attacks: "You know, it falls into racist very clearly." 2 Zuhdi Jasser, the Republican nominee in Arizona's 4th District, argued that El-Sayed has not done enough to disavow the accusations. 2
What it means
The Muslim Brotherhood claim has become a central Republican line of attack in a race that could help decide Senate control. Rogers told CNN the issue is El-Sayed's "relationship and his family relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood." 2
That matters because the exchange shows how both sides are fighting over the framing. Republicans cast it as a question of ties and ideology. El-Sayed casts it as a question about his loyalty to his country, and he said he is "interested in serving the United States." 1
President Trump has designated the Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations in the U.S. 1 The sources we reviewed do not show evidence that El-Sayed belongs to the group. The Republican accusations remain allegations. Early voting is under way, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The Record
- El-Sayed signs an open letter to Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi that urged him "to purge the media and police as quickly as possible." 1
- At a Michigan town hall, El-Sayed says "Sure, yeah. Absolutely" when asked to disavow the Muslim Brotherhood. 2
- El-Sayed's interview with Bret Baier airs on Fox News; Rogers appears afterward on the same program. 1
Sources
- The Hill, “El-Sayed spats with Baier over Muslim Brotherhood question: 'Be a journalist'” (2026-10-24). thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6170167-el-sayed-baier-intervi
- KUTV / The National News Desk, “Questions surround El-Sayed's alleged Muslim Brotherhood ties: Senate candidate pushes back” (2026-10-20). kutv.com/news/nation-world/questions-surround-el-sayeds-alle
Found an error? Tell the newsroom. Corrections are noted at the top of the story.
