Trump links Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed to Muslim Brotherhood

President Donald Trump linked Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood on Thursday, describing the candidate as a "con man" during a lunch in the White House Rose Garden. Trump stated, "He's a Muslim Brotherhood guy, 100%," and suggested that El-Sayed's alleged affiliation would be evident if he served on the Senate Intelligence Committee. The remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny of El-Sayed's alleged family ties to the Islamist organization.

The controversy centers on social media posts made by El-Sayed's half-sister, Eman Abdelhadi, who alleged their mother was an active member of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt during the 1970s. In a 2012 post on X, Abdelhadi wrote that she had an "amazing talk" with her mother about her activism in the organization while in college. In another post from 2012, she stated, "My family has long been MB, but I've always felt that it has navigated the political sphere poorly/destructively."

El-Sayed has denied any family connections to the group. In a recent interview with NBC's Meet the Press, he rejected the assertions, stating, "I have no ties; we have no ties." He accused his political opponents of engaging in anti-Muslim rhetoric rather than addressing his policy positions. Specifically targeting opponent Mike Rogers, El-Sayed said Rogers' strategy was to point to his name and faith to suggest he is different and should be suspected for how he prays.

During his Thursday remarks, Trump said he looked forward to visiting Michigan to "expose this fraud that's running." He repeated his characterization of El-Sayed as a fraud and a con man. Fox News Digital has reached out to El-Sayed's campaign for comment.