Politics

Trump Calls Senate Candidate El-Sayed an Illegal Doctor and Jihadist

President Donald Trump said Michigan Senate hopeful Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed is practicing medicine without a license and labeled him a jihadist, urging he be barred from the Senate.

2 outlets1 min read3h agoImportance 4/10

President Donald Trump, during a stop at Joint Base Andrews, attacked Michigan Democratic Senate contender Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed, accusing him of illegally practicing medicine and calling him a jihadist. Trump noted that El-Sayed holds a medical degree but has not completed licensing requirements, yet has presented himself in a white coat and referred to himself as a physician for years. He also cited El-Sayed’s co-signature on a 2012 letter backing the Muslim Brotherhood, saying such ties are unacceptable for a senator.

Trump urged that El-Sayed be prohibited from serving in the Senate, echoing similar criticism from Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers. The exchange occurred ahead of a Trump rally for Republicans, including Rogers, in a tightly contested race that could determine Senate control for the remainder of the term.

Why it matters

Trump’s remarks could sway voter attitudes in a key Senate race that may decide the chamber’s partisan balance.

How the sides frame it

LOW AGREEMENT

Center coverage treats the story as a false claim and issues a fact-check denying that El-Sayed is a ‘fake doctor,’ while right-leaning coverage frames Trump’s attack as exposing an illegal medical practice and extremist ties.

CENTER

Centrist coverage frames the piece as a fact-check that debunks the ‘fake doctor’ allegation and clarifies El-Sayed’s actual credentials.

RIGHT

Right-leaning coverage frames Trump’s remarks as exposing El-Sayed’s illegal medical practice and jihadist connections.

The right emphasises

Trump calls El-Sayed an illegal doctor and a jihadist
El-Sayed holds a medical degree but has not completed licensing requirements and presents himself in a white coat
He co-signed a 2012 letter backing the Muslim Brotherhood

How this story developed

Sep 28 Joe Concha accuses Senate hopeful Abdul el Sayed of political double-talk
Oct 2 The Georgia Senate debate turned sharply personal as Ossoff pledged to repeal Trump-era tariffs and accused Collins of siding with the president. Collins defended the tax cuts tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and blamed the Inflation Reduction Act for inflation. Both candidates clashed over data-center subsidies, with Ossoff linking Collins to a billionaire donor and Collins returning the charge. The discussion also covered the ongoing conflict with Iran and a recent immigration raid at a Hyundai plant, while each candidate faced accusations of extremist associations.
Oct 3 A Rasmussen Reports poll now shows El‑Sayed leading Rogers 47% to 44%.
Oct 5 Jeffries warned that Republican money is being poured into Long Island districts held by Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen, despite those seats being vulnerable to Democratic wins. He noted that the GOP’s focus on these races is making Republican-held districts, including the upstate seat of retiring Elisa Stafanik, more competitive. Jeffries also linked the alleged mismanagement to reports about Donald Trump advisers Chris LaCivita and James Blair working abroad. Democratic super PACs are holding back, believing their incumbents are well positioned, while GOP groups have spent nearly $2 million on Gillen’s district.
Oct 9 The first televised debate between the Michigan Senate hopefuls was held Thursday night.
Oct 10 Trump posted on Truth Social after the debate, claiming Rogers completely dominated and calling El‑Sayed a jihadist lunatic.
Oct 12 Collins publicly accused Ossoff of using Georgia to launch a 2028 presidential bid.
Oct 17 The candidates held their first televised debate.
Oct 18 Jeffries warned that the GOP's focus on the Long Island races may jeopardize the upstate district of retiring Elisa Stafanik.
Oct 19 Trump posted a Truth Social attack on El‑Sayed and shared a Kid Rock video warning of religious conflict in Dearborn.
Oct 22 The candidates participated in a final televised debate in Detroit.
Oct 22 New polling shows El‑Sayed holding a slight edge over Rogers.
Oct 22 Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers faced off in their last Senate debate, trading accusations about Trump ties and extremist policies.
Oct 25 El‑Sayed released a six‑figure television advertisement.

In this story