Mike Rogers said Abdul El-Sayed didn’t disavow the Muslim Brotherhood. Video shows he did

Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed accused President Donald Trump and his Republican rival Mike Rogers on Thursday night of weaponizing his Muslim faith as a political tool. Speaking in Marquette, Michigan, El-Sayed urged voters to evaluate his performance based on his actions and work rather than assumptions rooted in his religious practice. He stated that while he might pray differently than anyone else who has held the office, his commitment to the Constitution remains absolute. This direct pushback marks the closest El-Sayed has come on the campaign trail to explicitly labeling his opponents' tactics as Islamophobic. The controversy centers on recent amplification by Republicans of claims linking El-Sayed and his family to the Muslim Brotherhood. On Thursday night, Trump posted a video directly identifying El-Sayed as a member of the group, which was founded in Egypt. The current administration has designated certain chapters of the organization as terrorist entities. El-Sayed, an American of Egyptian descent, would become the first Muslim senator if elected. He expressed frustration that the debate focuses on his personal identity rather than the economic and social issues affecting constituents. He noted that his mother and sister are not candidates for office, whereas he is, and criticized the focus on them as irrational. A specific flashpoint occurred during a town hall in Caro, Michigan, on October 17. A male attendee asked El-Sayed if he would disavow the Muslim Brotherhood. Clips of the exchange circulated widely online. In the video, El-Sayed initially asked for the man's name and began discussing the U.S. Constitution. When the attendee pressed for a simple yes-or-no answer, El-Sayed replied affirmatively, stating he absolutely would disavow it. He then turned the question back to the attendee, questioning why such a query was necessary. El-Sayed argued that the question implied his Muslim faith created an allegiance superior to the Constitution. El-Sayed drew a parallel to John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic president, who faced similar scrutiny regarding his loyalty to the Pope. El-Sayed reiterated that he is not running to be a Muslim senator, but for the U.S. Senate, and happens to be Muslim. He described the Constitution as his guiding light. At a subsequent town hall on October 18, El-Sayed stated that he had clearly condemned the Muslim Brotherhood, describing the act of condemnation as straightforward. Republican challenger Mike Rogers disputed the characterization of El-Sayed's response. During an interview on October 18, Rogers claimed El-Sayed failed to provide a sufficient disavowal. Rogers described El-Sayed's remarks as evasive language designed to avoid a direct refusal. When a host pointed out that El-Sayed had verbally rejected the group, Rogers maintained that the manner of delivery was insufficient. Rogers argued that El-Sayed did not explicitly state concerns about the group's views on Sharia law or its treatment of women. Rogers' campaign spokesperson Alyssa Brouillet defended the strategy, asserting that dismissing an accusation is not the same as disavowing it. She cited El-Sayed's past writings and pledges, along with alleged family ties and financial donations to his campaign, as evidence of continued association. The campaign pointed to social media posts by El-Sayed's half-sister that appeared to reference their mother's involvement with the group. El-Sayed countered these claims by noting his parents divorced when he was three years old. He explained that he was raised by his father and stepmother and did not see his mother for years. Based on his knowledge, he stated that no one in his family has been a member of the organization. The Muslim Brotherhood is an Islamist movement established in Egypt in 1928 with branches throughout the Middle East. In 2025, the Trump administration designated specific branches as terrorist organizations. Additionally, the Treasury Department sanctioned a senior Egyptian leader of the group in July for alleged fundraising activities for Hamas. The questioner at the Caro town hall was identified as Thomas Teepell, who served as a staff member for Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri until earlier this year. Attempts to contact Teepell for comment yielded no response. Amidst the religious debate, El-Sayed released a new video targeting voters of faith, including Christians who constitute a significant portion of Rogers' base. In the advertisement, El-Sayed describes himself as a man of faith who prays daily, though he does not specify his religion. He emphasized service to God and neighbors, noting that many families in Michigan feel hopeless due to a lack of faith in Washington. The video was shared alongside endorsements from an Instagram account featuring clergy from various traditions. One supporter, Rev. Shannon Jammal-Hollemans, highlighted the burden of healthcare costs on her congregation, noting that maintaining a church food pantry became more difficult as prices rose. Skepticism persists among some religious leaders. Pastor Lorenzo Sewell of 180 Church in Detroit questioned El-Sayed's suitability for the Senate, specifically citing the power to recommend federal judges. Sewell suggested that appointing judges aligned with El-Sayed could lead to the implementation of Sharia law across the country. El-Sayed's campaign has consistently stated that he opposes incorporating any religious rules into U.S. law. The race for Michigan's Senate seat remains tightly contested, with both candidates focusing intensely on defining the character and loyalties of the incoming legislator.