By Salma El-Sakka
Former President Donald Trump launched a racially charged attack on Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed during a campaign rally in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday, November 1, repeatedly calling the Michigan progressive a "jihadist" and suggesting he would require a special metal detector if elected.
Rally rhetoric targets Muslim candidate
Trump's comments came as the Michigan Senate race remains neck-and-neck ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections, with control of the chamber at stake. El-Sayed, a practicing Muslim, won the Democratic primary in August. The president told the crowd, "If you vote for this jihadist lunatic that wants to destroy you, you're crazy," and added that Congress would need "a special metal detector for Abdul."
Stevens endorses Republican opponent
The race drew national attention after Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the primary, declined to campaign with him and demanded he disavow an outside group's ad linking inflation to U.S. military support for Israel's war in Gaza. El-Sayed responded by asking Stevens to stay away from a joint campaign event. Stevens then endorsed Republican nominee Mike Rogers, a move condemned by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Trump praises Rogers as 'apple pie'
Trump praised Stevens for turning against El-Sayed, urging her to join the Republican Party. "It was an incredible thing," he said. "I'd love her to join the Republican party. I think that could happen." He described Rogers in metaphorical terms: "Mike Rogers is apple pie. And you know what this country needs? A little apple pie. We don't need the communists or jihadists, the Muslim Brotherhood. We need apple pie. He's apple pie. He'll be good." Trump also noted he had little time for football because of his rally schedule, saying, "Pretend I'm on the ballot. Essentially, I am on the ballot."
