Donald Trump Attacks Abdul El-Sayed

What happened

Updated Oct 27, 5:01pm ET

President Donald Trump attacked Abdul El-Sayed at a Michigan rally, calling the Democratic Senate nominee a “jihadist” and alleging Muslim Brotherhood ties that El-Sayed denies. Vice President JD Vance escalated the attacks, calling El-Sayed a “psychopath” and accusing him of anti-white racial hatred. The race is for retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters’ seat, with Senate control at stake about a week before Election Day. El-Sayed’s criticism of Israel and U.S. aid has strained parts of Michigan’s Democratic coalition. His campaign disavowed a Rebellion PAC grocery-price ad tied to aid for Israel. A Detroit News/WDIV-TV/Glengariff Group poll showed El-Sayed ahead of Republican Mike Rogers, 51 percent to 45 percent.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets cast the attacks as an escalation of religious and racial fear aimed at a Muslim Democrat, while treating the Israel dispute as a pressure point inside the party. Vox framed Trump’s remarks as part of an increasingly Islamophobic campaign. The New York Times focused on Jewish and Muslim voters’ anxiety over Israel. Truthout challenged the idea that Democrats were broadly split.

How the right told it

Right-leaning outlets cast El-Sayed as a radical risk, focusing on alleged loyalties, Democratic division and a pro-El-Sayed message they viewed as antisemitic. The New York Post presented Vance’s visit as a final pitch against an unacceptable radical. Fox News emphasized unresolved tensions after the Democratic primary. Townhall argued the grocery ad scapegoated Israel and needed a direct condemnation.