Trump Islamophobic rant targets Michigan GOP base
The gist
President Trump told a Port Huron rally El-Sayed is a "jihadist" who should face a metal detector.
Some Muslim voters who backed Trump in 2024 now say they feel used.
How it unfolded
- Oct 24, 2026Former President Barack Obama rallied with the Democratic slate in Michigan, backing El-Sayed and gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson.
- Oct 25, 2026Trump rallied at McMorran Place Sports & Entertainment Center in Port Huron for Rogers and James, calling El-Sayed a "jihadist" and a "Muslim Brotherhood member" and saying he should have to go through a metal detector before entering the Senate.
- Oct 25, 2026Trump compared the race to Sept 11, 2001, bringing on David Beamer, whose son Todd Beamer died on hijacked United Flight 93, and said Michigan needs to "stand up and fight just like Todd did."