Trump Links Michigan Senate Candidate to 9/11 Hijackers in Campaign Speech

UPDATE - follow-up to Trump invokes 9/11 in urging Michigan voters to oppose Muslim Senate candidate El-Sayed: President Donald Trump used an October 25, 2026 campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, to link U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Mr. Trump urged voters to oppose Mr. El-Sayed, warning that Democrats would let violent extremists into the country. If Mr. El-Sayed wins the upcoming November 3 midterm elections, he would become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate.

Campaign Clash

During the rally at McMorran Place Arena, Mr. Trump compared voting against Mr. El-Sayed to the actions of Michigan native Todd Beamer and others who fought back against the hijackers of United Flight 93. Mr. Trump claimed the candidate would be the only senator who would need to go through a metal detector before entering the Capitol. In response, Mr. El-Sayed dismissed the accusations during an event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, pointing out hypocrisy regarding foreign funding and gifts received by the President, such as a Boeing 747 jet from Qatar and investments from Saudi entities.

Rival's Stance and Reactions

Republican candidate Mike Rogers, who is vying with Mr. El-Sayed for the open Senate seat, stated on NBC's 'Meet the Press' that he does not consider Mr. El-Sayed a violent terrorist. However, Mr. Rogers has alleged that Mr. El-Sayed has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, a claim the candidate has denied while calling the questioning shameful. Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama campaigned for Democrats in Detroit on October 24, 2026, comparing the attacks on Mr. El-Sayed to false birth claims previously directed at himself.

Context

This high-stakes race in Michigan remains crucial as both parties battle for control of the U.S. Senate ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Dearborn, Michigan, located within the state, holds the highest per-capita concentration of Muslims of any U.S. city.