US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a rally, to support Republican US Senate candidate, former US Representative Mike Rogers, ahead of the midterm elections, at an entertainment complex in Port Huron, Michigan, US, October 25, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Onlookers were furious Sunday after President Donald Trump hurled insults at a progressive Senate candidate that some described as "pure racism."
Trump spoke in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday as part of his midterm tour to rally support for Republicans like Senate candidate Mike Rogers. During his speech, Trump took aim at Rogers' opponent, Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, over his "record of support for jihadists."
Republicans have frequently claimed that El-Sayed has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood because of his Egyptian heritage, a claim that El-Sayed has forcibly denied.
"Anyone with that record of supporting jihadists would be screened and unable to get a seat on an airplane. They certainly should not give him a seat in the United States Senate," Trump said. "He would be the only Senator who is required to go through a metal detector before he's allowed to go into the Senate. I want him to have a metal detector!"
Trump's comments sparked a firestorm on social media.
Journalist Aaron Rupar described Trump's comments as "pure racism."
"Republicans objectively are campaigning on little more than bigotry," Rupar posted on X.
Joanne Carducci, who goes by "JoJofromJerz" on social media, found Trump's comments ironic because of his actions on Jan. 6, 2021.
"This coming from the traitor who sent a rabid mob to attack the Senate for him," Carducci posted on X.
Hemant Mehta, a "Jeopardy!" champion, wrote on X that Trump's comments reflected the state of the GOP.
"A reminder that roughly 80% of white evangelical voters are fine with this blatant racism," Mehta posted.