Abdul El-Sayed made history after winning Michigan’s Senate seat, becoming the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. He defeated Republican Mike Rogers in a closely watched election.
During his campaign, El-Sayed faced criticism from Donald Trump and JD Vance, including attacks targeting his Muslim faith and name. Trump even called him a “jihadist lunatic.”
But El-Sayed responded confidently, challenging Trump to take a lie detector test if he himself had to pass through a metal detector before entering the Senate.
During his victory speech, he also delivered a pointed message to JD Vance, joking that the vice president would be constitutionally required to swear him into office.
He then addressed Trump directly:
“Donald, I know you struggled with my name. So after JD swears me in in January, you can just go on and call me ‘Senator.’”
El-Sayed also emphasized that America belongs to everyone, regardless of religion or background.
The message of his victory speech: His election marked a historic moment for Muslim representation in American politics and highlighted the importance of equality, diversity, and belonging.
