full timeline
Michigan Senate race
Follow Michigan Senate race in the Factlen app and get an alert when there is news. Get the app
Share this story
Latest
By 09:51 UTC on October 26, former President Donald Trump explicitly invoked the September 11 attacks and labeled Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed a "jihadist" during a Sunday rally in Port Huron, Michigan. Trump claimed the candidate would need a metal detector to enter the Senate chamber.
Rapper Nicki Minaj joined the campaign swing, traveling aboard Air Force One. Seated in the audience, Minaj was asked to stand up by Trump, who briefly pivoted from his political remarks to compliment her physical appearance.
In response to the targeted messaging, El-Sayed's campaign welcomed the national spotlight, arguing it energizes their grassroots fundraising efforts. Civil rights groups warned that the rhetoric endangers Muslim Americans.
How the story developed
The Michigan Senate race emerged as a crucial toss-up between El-Sayed and Republican nominee Mike Rogers. The contest highlighted an intense battle for Arab American and Muslim voters in the critical swing state.
As the midterm elections approached their closing days, the campaign drew high-profile national figures. The race gained prominence as a pivotal contest that could determine control of the upper chamber.
On the Saturday prior to Trump's visit, former President Barack Obama made a campaign stop in Detroit.
During the campaign swing, Trump arrived to support Rogers. In his remarks, the former president repeated claims linking El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood, assertions described as debunked.
Where things stand
Trump Ramps Up Attacks on Abdul El-Sayed as Nicki Minaj Joins Michigan Campaign Swing
Key point: Donald Trump intensified his attacks on Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed during a Michigan rally featuring an appearance by rapper Nicki Minaj.
President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric against Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed during a Sunday rally in Port Huron, Michigan, where he was joined by rapper Nicki Minaj. Trump baselessly labeled El-Sayed a "jihadist" and a "Muslim Brotherhood member," claiming the candidate would need a metal detector to enter the Senate chamber.
Minaj, who traveled to the battleground state aboard Air Force One, was seated in the audience as Trump campaigned for Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers. During his remarks, Trump briefly pivoted from his political attacks to compliment Minaj's physical appearance, asking the rapper to stand up while praising her "beautiful a**."
The Michigan Senate race between Rogers and El-Sayed is considered a crucial toss-up that could determine control of the upper chamber. Trump's visit to Port Huron followed a campaign stop in Detroit the previous day by former President Barack Obama, highlighting the state's pivotal role in the closing days of the midterm elections.
Charts, maps and images
Timeline
October 2026
Donald Trump has intensified political criticism against Michigan candidate Abdul El-Sayed during events on the campaign trail.
- Trump Ramps Up Attacks on Abdul El-Sayed as Nicki Minaj Joins Michigan Campaign SwingKey point: Donald Trump intensified his attacks on Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed during a Michigan rally featuring an appearance by rapper Nicki Minaj.
