FILE PHOTO: Republican US Senate candidate Mike Rogers speaks to the press in the spin room after taking part in a debate with Democratic rival candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Grand Rapids, Michigan, US, October 8, 2026. REUTERS/Jim Vondruska/File Photo
The crowd in Port Huron, Michigan, was eerily silent after Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers dropped a bizarre "clue" about his opponent during his rally speech on Sunday.
Rogers spoke to a crowd at the McMorran Place Arena as part of President Donald Trump's midterm rally tour. Rogers is facing off against Democratic Socialist Abdul El-Sayed in one of the country's most consequential races, and a recent Marist poll shows El-Sayed leading Rogers as the election quickly approaches.
During his speech, Rogers told the crowd about El-Sayed's alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization founded in Egypt. Rogers has repeatedly sought to tie El-Sayed to the terror group, and El-Sayed has strongly denied having any ties to the organization.
"He's accepted campaign donations, and even the literal spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood," Rogers said. "As a former FBI agent, we would call that a clue."
Rogers paused for several moments, waiting for the crowd to react. The crowd, however, didn't seem to understand that Rogers was waiting for them to clap. Instead, they remained eerily silent.
The awkward moment was ridiculed by political analysts and observers on social media.
Rebecca Katz, a Democratic strategist, noted just how awkward the exchange was.
"So. Awkward," she posted on X.
The moment also surprised The Tennessee Holler, a liberal political outlet.
"Yikes," the outlet shared on X.
Hemant Mehta, a political critic and a "Jeopardy!" champion, noted that the moment made Rogers look a little foolish.
"Anyone know how to measure negative charisma?"Mehta asked in a post on X.
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