Muslim Americans Celebrate Abdul El-Sayed
Muslim Americans hailed Abdul El-Sayed’s historic victory as the first Muslim elected to the Senate.
November 5, 2026 · Updated Nov 5, 10:27am ET
Los Angeles TimesCommentary: Say his name: Abdul El-Sayed becomes the nation's first Muslim senator
Associated Press‘A beautifully American story’: El-Sayed's historic Senate victory resonates with Muslim Americans
FOX NewsUniversity of Michigan students rally behind Abdul El-Sayed after his Senate win over Mike Rogers
The GuardianAbdul El-Sayed’s victory has laid bare a truth about America's view on Israel | Peter Beinart
The Washington SunAbdul El-Sayed’s Win Could Launch Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Into the 2028 Race
The Daily WireThe Core Question For America’s First Muslim Senator
Religion News Service‘A beautifully American story’: El-Sayed’s historic Senate victory resonates with Muslim Americans
Daily MailNight of history sees election firsts across creed, colour, sexuality
The FederalistMuslims Ride Blue Wave To Power As Red-Green Alliance Rises
Breitbart News‘Alhamdulillah’: Ilhan Omar Hails Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan Senate Win
Western JournalBody Language Expert Watched El-Sayed's Smiley Victory Speech, Suggests Revenge Lurked Underneath
The Gateway PunditEl-Sayed’s Senate Win Followed Clerics Calling Voting a “Religious Duty” for the “Ummah”
14%
Left · 2
22%
Center · 3
64%
Right · 9
Pano rates the coverage Mostly Right.
What happened
- Muslim Americans are celebrating Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed
Abdul El-SayedAmerican politician and epidemiologist (born 1984)’s election as the first Muslim to win a seat in the U.S. Senate. - El-Sayed, 42, the son of Egyptian immigrants, defeated Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers
Mike RogersAmerican politician (born 1963) by about seven percentage points. - During the campaign, President Donald Trump called El-Sayed a “jihadist,” while Vice President JD Vance described him as representing “terrible evil.”
- El-Sayed said his victory rejected efforts to demonize Muslims, declaring in his victory speech: “My name is Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed.”
- El-Sayed will succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters
Gary PetersAmerican politician and naval officer (born 1958), and he told supporters that Vance would swear him in in January.
How the left told it
Left-leaning outlets framed El-Sayed’s victory as a rejection of attacks and pressure against him. Los Angeles Times commentary celebrated his historic win despite what it called a “hate offensive.” Guardian columnist Peter Beinart argued that his success exposed a divide over Israel between wealthy donors and ordinary voters.
How the right told it
Right-leaning outlets mostly raised concerns about religious identity and political power, though coverage varied. The Daily Wire questioned whether Sharia or the Constitution came first for El-Sayed; The Federalist warned of a “red-green alliance.” Fox News highlighted student enthusiasm, while the Daily Mail described his victory despite an “Islamophobic hate campaign.”
Michigan Senate Race
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Nov 5Muslim Americans Celebrate Abdul El-Sayed (this story)Mostly Right
- Nov 4Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan SenateBalanced
- Nov 3Michigan Senate Race Draws National AttentionBalanced
- Nov 3MAGA Attacks Abdul El-Sayed Over ClipMostly Left
- Nov 3Democrats Rebuke Haley StevensLeans Right
