Trump targets Muslim politicians Abdul El-Sayed and Ilhan Omar in his final campaign appearances.
In campaign stops across Iowa and Kansas, President Donald Trump intensified his use of Islamophobic rhetoric and unfounded conspiracy theories targeting the Democratic Party. The events took place days ahead of the midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress during the final stretch of Trump’s presidency.
Trump reiterated his characterization of Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from Michigan, as a “jihadist” during both Sunday rallies. He also suggested that if elected, the Senate would need to install metal detectors to screen El-Sayed before granting him entry, drawing laughter from attendees.
“We’ll have a hundred senators, and most of them will go directly [into the Senate]… We’re gonna have to get a special metal detector for Abdul,” Trump said, prompting laughter from the crowd.
He repeated baseless allegations that El-Sayed is affiliated with the transnational Muslim Brotherhood, an organization whose branches the United States has designated as foreign “terrorist” groups.
At both gatherings, Trump repeatedly urged supporters to vote, encouraging them to “pretend I’m on the ballot,” as he sought to mobilize Republican voters ahead of what polls suggest could be a difficult election for the party.
The rallies were canceled last week and later rescheduled. They mark Trump’s final campaign travel events before the election.
Both speeches were interrupted multiple times by hecklers.
In Iowa, Trump said he would “love” for Democratic Representative Haley Stevens, who lost to Abdul El-Sayed in the primaries, to switch parties after she endorsed El-Sayed’s Republican opponent, Mike Rogers.
At both rallies, Trump targeted U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, repeating unverified claims that she was previously married to her brother and had children with him.
In Kansas, Trump criticized Democratic Senate candidate Adam Hamilton, a church pastor, for his support of transgender rights, describing him as a “stiff” who delivers sermons from teleprompters.
The U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, the cost of living, immigration, perceived media bias, and the administration of former President Joe Biden were also prominent themes in both speeches.
Two Pivotal Races
Although Iowa and Kansas are currently represented primarily by Republican lawmakers, polling indicates Democrats could win both states.
Kansas has five federal congressional seats on the midterm ballot: one Senate seat and all four House seats. The state last elected a Democratic senator in 1932.
In Iowa, the Senate race remains too close to call, though polling suggests two state representative seats are leaning Democratic.
The United States will hold midterm elections on November 3.
