At a rally in Iowa, former President Donald Trump praised Congresswoman Haley Stevens for leaving the Democratic Party to support Mike Rogers' Senate campaign, even welcoming her to join the Republicans. He then directed an Islamophobic insult at Abdul El-Sayed, a Muslim and progressive Democratic Senate nominee, calling him a 'jihadist.'
Stevens' Endorsement of Rogers
Stevens, a Democrat, has endorsed Rogers, who is running against El-Sayed in the Michigan Senate race. Trump highlighted her defection on stage, framing it as a notable political shift and extending an invitation for her to switch parties.
Attack on El-Sayed
Trump's remarks about El-Sayed continued a pattern of attacks against the nominee, using derogatory language that has drawn criticism. The rally comments add to the heated rhetoric surrounding the 2026 midterm election cycle.
