From ‘terror threat’ to ‘civilizational threat,’ top Republicans escalate anti-Muslim rhetoric

(RNS) — Within 24 hours of Abdul El-Sayed becoming Michigan’s Senate Democratic nominee, the candidate faced an onslaught of attacks. But instead of critiquing his policy positions or campaign promises, the comments focused on his background and Muslim faith, framing the epidemiologist-turned-political candidate as a danger to the country.

Sitting in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump referred to him as a “ jihadist .” The National Republican Senatorial Committee published a digital advertisement referring to El-Sayed by his full name and labeling him a “radical.” And Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, who once championed the separation of church and state, published a post on X insisting every “Muslim holding public office in America is a Trojan horse and a threat to both national security and our republic.”

El-Sayed has deflected the attacks, saying the GOP is resorting to Islamophobia “because their ideas are tired.”

“I’ve been Abdul in Michigan my whole life,” he told MS Now. “I’m so grateful for the way Michiganders have embraced me and my family, and I know that Michiganders are open-minded, they’re big-hearted, they’re less interested in how you pray than what…