Key facts
- Donald Trump invoked the September 11 attacks in a verbal assault on Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
- Trump accused El-Sayed of being a "jihadist" and suggested he would have to pass through a metal detector.
- Critics condemned Trump's remarks as Islamophobic.
- El-Sayed denied links to the Muslim Brotherhood and accused Trump of using Islamophobia to distract from economic issues.
- El-Sayed is running against Republican Mike Rogers in a closely contested midterm election.
Donald Trump is facing backlash for invoking the September 11 attacks and using Islamophobic rhetoric against Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for the US Senate in Michigan. Speaking at a rally on Sunday, Trump accused El-Sayed of being a "jihadist" and suggested he would have to pass through a metal detector to enter the Senate. Critics condemned the attack as Islamophobic.
El-Sayed, who is running against Republican Mike Rogers in a closely contested race, responded by saying, "I'll be Senator Mohamed to you, bro." He accused Trump of using Islamophobia to distract from economic issues. Senator Bernie Sanders, appearing alongside El-Sayed, stated that Islamophobia was being used because opponents had nothing to say about real issues.
Trump's allegations also centered on linking El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization. El-Sayed has previously denied any connection to the group and stressed his loyalty to the United States. Bishara Bahbah, a former supporter of Trump, called the president's statements "out of line" and "racist."