President Donald Trump claimed that Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a Muslim, would "invite hordes of jihadis to our shores" as he sought to bolster the G.O.P. candidate in a tight Senate race.
The comments came as Trump visited Michigan, where the race between Democratic nominee El-Sayed and Republican nominee John James has tightened in recent polls. Trump's remarks echoed longstanding concerns about Islamophobia within the Republican Party and drew immediate criticism from civil rights groups.
El-Sayed, a former Detroit health commissioner and progressive candidate, has consistently denied any ties to extremist organizations. His campaign dismissed Trump's comments as divisive rhetoric aimed at energizing the Republican base ahead of the November election.
The Senate seat is currently held by Democrat Debbie Stabenow, who is retiring. Polls show the race between El-Sayed and James remains competitive, with national parties investing heavily in advertising and voter turnout efforts.
Civil rights organizations condemned Trump's comments, calling them Islamophobic and factually baseless. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions around religious discrimination in American politics.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing