Trump called him a ‘jihadist’: Who is Abdul El-Sayed, the first Muslim elected to US Senate?

El-Sayed, who received support from former US President Barack Obama during the campaign, defeated Republican candidate and former lawmaker Mike Rogers in the closely watched Senate race.

The Democrat had also been targeted by US President Donald Trump, who referred to him as a “jihadist” during the campaign.

El-Sayed celebrates historic victory

Following his win, El-Sayed wrote on X: "It is my honor and privilege to be headed to the US Senate to serve the great state of Michigan.

"Michigan, we did what they said couldn’t be done. We won. Together. Now the real work begins."

Who is Abdul El-Sayed?

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is an American physician, epidemiologist, public health expert and Democratic politician.

Born and raised in Michigan to Egyptian immigrant parents, he built his career in public health before entering electoral politics.

Education and professional career

El-Sayed graduated from the University of Michigan and earned a doctorate from the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He later obtained his medical degree from Columbia University.

A physician and epidemiologist by profession, he served as executive director and health officer of the Detroit Health Department from 2015 to 2017.

He subsequently led Wayne County's Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services from 2022 to 2025.

Earlier political campaign

El-Sayed first gained wider political attention when he contested the Democratic primary for Michigan governor in 2018. However, he failed to secure the party's nomination.

His 2026 Senate victory marks a significant milestone in his political career and makes him the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.

Why He Is Controversial

El-Sayed calls Israel’s conduct in Gaza a genocide, wants to end both offensive and defensive military aid, has called the Israeli government “evil,” and has sidestepped whether Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state.

He appeared with streamer Hasan Piker, who once said America “deserved” 9/11. After a March attack on a Michigan synagogue he said “hurt people hurt people,” pointing to the suspect’s family losses, then apologised to anyone hurt by the remark.

Over $100,000 in donations came from people affiliated with CAIR, which denies terror links. It is not federally designated, though Florida has designated it.

Sen. John Fetterman said El-Sayed has “a lot of stuff to explain.” To Jewish Democrats, El-Sayed’s own pitch is modest: “We may not agree on everything when it comes to foreign policy.”

The “Taqiyya” Charge

Online and on the right, El-Sayed is accused of taqiyya, hiding his true agenda behind moderate language. The term refers to a doctrine, mainly in Shia jurisprudence, permitting concealment of faith under persecution. Scholars call its modern use a smear implying Muslims, as a class, cannot be trusted.

However, no evidence has been offered that El-Sayed hides anything, and his Israel positions are stated loudly. Critics can attack the views, which are on the record. Alleging concealment adds heat, not substance.