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Vance Avoids Calling El-Sayed a 'Jihadist'
Confirmed
In Short: JD Vance stopped short of labeling Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed a 'jihadist' as President Trump had.
JD Vance, while campaigning for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan, declined to directly label Abdul El-Sayed a 'jihadist,' a term used by President Donald Trump to describe El-Sayed.
When asked about Trump's characterization, Vance stated that El-Sayed has 'a lot of weird friends,' but did not explicitly endorse the 'jihadist' label.
Vance also emphasized that Republicans support everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, in an apparent attempt to distance himself from Trump's Islamophobic rhetoric.
Trump had previously called El-Sayed a 'jihadist' during a campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on October 25, arguing that electing El-Sayed would lead to increased terrorism.
El-Sayed, who would become the first Muslim senator if elected, has repeatedly denied any affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood.
What this adds
Vance's comments reflect a cautious approach to aligning with Trump's controversial statements, potentially seeking to avoid further backlash.
Background
Sen. Bernie Sanders is set to rally with Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Grand Rapids, as President Trump visits the state for a rally.
Former President Barack Obama rallied for Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit, while President Donald Trump visited Michigan to support Republican Bruce Blakeman.
What's confirmed
- READ: JD Vance’s ‘unpronounceable’ countries remark sparks backlash over his Indian immigrant in-laws (October 27, 2026) When a reporter asked whether El-Sayed was a “jihadist,” as President Donald Trump had described him, Vance stopped short of endorsing the label directly.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.