Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander shared social media posts this week regarding Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed (D) following the general election. Santander, a former All-Star, reshared messages on his Instagram story stating "America voted for Sharia Last Night" and "Islam is not peaceful."
The posts followed the election of El-Sayed, who defeated Republican Mike Rogers. El-Sayed is scheduled to take office in January, at which point he will become the first Muslim member of the U.S. Senate. The source reports that El-Sayed’s campaign faced Islamophobic rhetoric from various figures, including President Donald Trump, during the election cycle.
The Toronto Blue Jays issued a statement to The Athletic addressing the social media activity, stating that individual comments do not represent the organization's values and that the team aims to create an inclusive experience where all fans feel welcome. It was not confirmed whether the posts were removed or if they simply expired.
While Santander did not play last season due to a shoulder injury, the Blue Jays’ statement emphasizes that the team aims to ensure all fans feel welcome.
What happens next depends on the team's internal review and Santander's status for the upcoming season. El-Sayed is confirmed to take office in January. Santander remains under contract with the Blue Jays, though his recent playing time has been limited by a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the entire previous season and restricted him to 54 regular-season games in 2025. No disciplinary actions or further statements from the player have been reported at this time.