Trump Attacks El-Sayed, Praises Minaj at Michigan Rally

President Donald Trump addressed a campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, less than two weeks before the midterm elections, launching sharp criticisms against Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate.

During his speech, Trump referred to El-Sayed as a "jihadist" and "Member of the Muslim Brotherhood," suggesting the candidate should be required to pass through a metal detector if elected to the Senate. "Abdul would have to be the only Senator that will have to have to go through a metal detector before he's allowed to go into the Senate," Trump stated. He contrasted El-Sayed with Republican candidate Mike Rogers, whom Trump described as "apple pie" and representative of Americana.

El-Sayed, a son of Egyptian immigrants, is running on a platform that includes Medicare for All. The Senate seat in Michigan is considered a "toss-up" by the Cook Political Report. In a recent debate, El-Sayed and Rogers clashed over allegations of El-Sayed's ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization designated as terrorist by some branches under the Trump administration. El-Sayed has called these accusations "beneath" Rogers.

Trump also addressed the campaign rally held by El-Sayed with former President Barack Obama in Detroit the previous day, claiming his rally had a larger attendance. "It was just revealed that Ilhan Omar's name is not Ilhan Omar," Trump told the crowd, referencing claims about the Minnesota congresswoman's identity and linking them to past allegations about her marriage.

Musical artist Nicki Minaj joined Trump on stage during the event. Minaj expressed her support for Trump, stating, "President Trump, it is an honor to stand with you every single time, and I will continue to support you forever and ever. If you run again, I will support you again." She described the upcoming election as "the most important midterm election of our lifetimes."

The rally also featured Trump praising individuals who supported his 2024 Michigan victory, including Massad Boulos, his Senior Advisor to the President of the United States on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs, and Amer Ghalib, former Mayor of Hamtramck. Ghalib's nomination as U.S. ambassador to Kuwait had previously stalled in the Senate.

Trump's visit to Michigan comes amid a series of rallies in the final stretch before the November midterm elections. The rally was briefly interrupted by a protester, whom Trump described as "paid."