04.11.2026 10:40
Abdul El-Sayed, elected from Michigan as the first Muslim senator in US history, took sharp aim at Donald Trump in his victory speech. Reacting to Trump's mocking of people's names and beliefs, El-Sayed called out to families, "Tomorrow, tell your children that the bad guys lost." The Democratic politician, who also thanked his wife, said, "I couldn't have done this without you, and I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else."
Following the midterm elections held in the US on November 3, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed emerged ahead in the Senate race in Michigan. The Egyptian-origin politician, running against Republican Mike Rogers, declared victory on election night and addressed his supporters. In El-Sayed's speech, in which he achieved a historic result on the path to becoming the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, both Trump's remarks about him and the importance he placed on his family stood out.
"TELL YOUR CHILDREN THAT THE BAD GUYS LOST"
El-Sayed, who was targeted by criticism over his religious faith and name throughout the election campaign, addressed families who were struggling to explain Trump's rhetoric to their children in a statement attributed to him after his victory.
The following statements were included in El-Sayed's shared message:
"Parents who cannot explain to their children why Trump mocks people's names or faiths: Tomorrow, tell your children that the bad guys lost."
These words came after Trump's remarks targeting El-Sayed over his Muslim identity during the election campaign.
HE THANKED HIS WIFE IN HIS VICTORY SPEECH
El-Sayed's election night speech also included words about his family. The Democratic politician thanked his wife, who supported him throughout the election campaign, and said:
"Thank you for everything. I couldn't have done this without you, and I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else."
These words to his wife stood out as a detail about his family life as well as the political dimension of his election victory.
TRUMP'S REMARKS HAD CAUSED CONTROVERSY
US President Donald Trump made harsh remarks about El-Sayed during the election campaign. Describing the Democratic politician as a "jihadist," Trump also leveled accusations that he was linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
El-Sayed rejected these claims and opposed the election campaign being run over his religious identity. The Democratic candidate argued that voters were concerned with the costs of basic needs such as gasoline, food, and healthcare, and that his name and faith were not the cause of these problems.
An Associated Press pre-election report also stated that there was no evidence of any terrorist organization connection regarding Trump's accusations against El-Sayed.
HE DECLARED VICTORY IN MICHIGAN
In the race in Michigan, El-Sayed's advantage over Republican Mike Rogers was reflected in the results announced on election night. Decision Desk HQ projected that the Democratic candidate had won, while results published in the local press also showed El-Sayed ahead.
Addressing supporters at the Democratic Party election night event in Detroit, El-Sayed thanked the people of Michigan and said he wanted to repay the trust shown in him.
In his speech reported by Bridge Michigan, El-Sayed addressed the voters who supported him, saying, "Michigan, we did it." The Democratic politician stated that he looked forward to serving with the open-mindedness, determination, and sincerity that the people had shown him.
A TURNING POINT FOR MUSLIM REPRESENTATION IN THE US SENATE
Born in Michigan as the child of an Egyptian immigrant family, Abdul El-Sayed previously served as an administrator in the field of public health in Detroit. In the election campaign, he focused on issues such as access to healthcare, the cost of living, and economic inequalities.
El-Sayed's election victory is also being regarded as the beginning of a new era for Muslim representation in the US Senate. Despite Trump's criticism of him, the Democratic politician came out ahead in the Michigan race and achieved the most important success of his political career.