President Donald Trump campaigned for Republican candidates in Michigan on Sunday, October 25, 2026, delivering remarks that focused on the U.S. Senate race between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. During a rally at McMorran Place in Port Huron, Trump labeled El-Sayed a "jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member" and asserted that El-Sayed should be required to pass through a metal detector to enter the Senate chamber. The remarks drew criticism from a former ally and Democratic leaders.
The campaign event occurred nine days before the November 3 midterm elections. El-Sayed, a former Detroit health official who was born in Michigan, is seeking to become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. The Republican strategy in the race's final weeks has included allegations from Trump and Rogers of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamic movement with branches the U.S. government has designated as terrorist organizations. El-Sayed has repeatedly denied any affiliation with the group and denounced it during a recent town hall in Caro, Michigan.
At the Sunday rally, Trump compared stopping El-Sayed from entering the Senate to the actions of passengers on United Flight 93 during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. David Beamer, whose son died on that flight, appeared with Trump and characterized El-Sayed as "anti-American." Separately, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) appeared with El-Sayed at a rally in Grand Rapids on Sunday evening, where Sanders argued that Trump and his allies were using Islamophobia to distract from economic issues like health care and housing.
The outcome of the contest between Rogers and El-Sayed will determine one of Michigan's two seats in the chamber. The focus on the Muslim Brotherhood and El-Sayed’s family background—including a charity where his mother worked decades ago—highlights a campaign strategy that prioritizes questions of candidate background. A Rogers victory would mark a Republican pickup in a seat currently held by retiring Democrat Gary Peters, while an El-Sayed victory would make him the first Muslim member of the U.S. Senate.
The next steps in the campaign include a scheduled visit by Vice President JD Vance to Howell, Michigan, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, to continue stumping for the Republican ticket. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel stated that Republicans by standing with Trump have endorsed a "toxic agenda." In contrast, Trump told the Port Huron crowd he was there to support candidates like Rogers and John James, who he said would fight for jobs and lower prices. All Michigan voters will have the final say when polls open for the midterm election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.