Donald Trump used a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, to attack Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed while backing Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Speaking at McMorran Place on Sunday, Mr Trump praised Mike Rogers, the Republican candidate for the US Senate, as “one of the most respected men in Washington”. He then accused Mr El-Sayed of being a “jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member”.
“I’m here to keep a jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member from becoming a United States senator,” Mr Trump said.
Mr El-Sayed’s campaign was approached for a response to the president’s remarks and visit but had not commented.
The allegation comes after a town hall meeting in Caro earlier this month, when Mr El-Sayed was asked whether he would disavow the Muslim Brotherhood. He replied: “absolutely.”
Mr Rogers and Mr El-Sayed faced each other in their second and final debate in Southfield on Wednesday.
Mr Trump also endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate John James, saying he would “fight for jobs” and “lower prices”. He told the crowd that Michigan had been built by “American patriots who shed their blood, sweat and tears”.
Michigan Democratic Party chairman Curtis Hertel said Mr Rogers, Mr James and other Republicans had made clear by standing with Mr Trump that they supported and were prepared to “rubber stamp Trump’s toxic agenda”.
The rally formed part of a wider campaign effort in Michigan. Former president Barack Obama appeared in Detroit on Saturday to support Mr El-Sayed, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson and other state candidates.
Mr El-Sayed later appeared at a rally with Senator Bernie Sanders at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. Mr Sanders said Mr Trump and his allies were resorting to Islamophobia because they had “nothing to say” about issues including healthcare, housing and income inequality.
“All they can do is foment hatred and divisiveness,” Mr Sanders said.
Vice-President JD Vance is due to campaign for Republicans at CHI Aviation in Howell, Michigan, on Tuesday.
