Trump attacks Senate hopeful Abdul El‑Sayed as “jihadist” at Iowa rally
At a Sunday rally in Iowa, Donald Trump denounced Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El‑Sayed with racist language and praised Republican Mike Rogers.
Donald Trump took to an Iowa campaign event on Sunday to launch a blistering attack on Abdul El‑Sayed, the Democratic Senate hopeful from Michigan.
He repeatedly labeled the practicing Muslim candidate a jihadist, adding that Congress would need “a special metal detector for Abdul” if he were elected.
“If you vote for this jihadist lunatic that wants to destroy you, you’re crazy,” Trump declared to the rally crowd.
Stevens then turned around and endorsed Mike Rogers, the Republican opponent of El‑Sayed, a move that drew criticism from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is Jewish.
Trump praised Stevens for her defection, saying, It was an incredible thing. I’d love her to join the Republican party. I think that could happen.
He also lauded Rogers in a metaphor, stating, Mike Rogers is apple pie. And you know what this country needs? A little apple pie. We don’t need the communists or jihadists, the Muslim Brotherhood. We need apple pie. He’s apple pie. He’ll be good.
Trump added that he had little time for football this weekend because he was “going to these damn rallies all over the place,” and quipped, Pretend I’m on the ballot. Essentially, I am on the ballot.
The rally underscored the high stakes of the Michigan contest and highlighted the fierce rhetoric surrounding the race.
