Cruz Labels El-Sayed a 'Jihadist Leprechaun' in Final Michigan Push
The Texas senator's comments intensify the Republican focus on Abdul El-Sayed's family history ahead of the Senate election.
By Jessica Abebe ·
Voters in Michigan will face a sharper tone in the final days of the Senate race after Senator Ted Cruz of Texas used a new nickname for his opponent. Speaking at a campaign event in Grosse Pointe Woods on Wednesday, Cruz referred to Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed as a "jihadist leprechaun." The remark came as the Republican campaign, led by challenger Mike Rogers, intensified its focus on El-Sayed's personal connections to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Cruz argued that El-Sayed poses a security risk if he wins the seat. The senator stated that El-Sayed could be assigned to the Senate Intelligence Committee and gain top-level security clearance. Cruz claimed that if El-Sayed is indeed a passionate supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, Americans face a real risk of dying as a result. The Muslim Brotherhood was designated a terrorist organization by the Trump administration in January.
El-Sayed has consistently denied any membership in the group. In a recent interview with Fox News, he stated, "I have never been a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, I never will be a member of the Muslim Brotherhood." His campaign has described the Republican messaging as a bigoted anti-Muslim smear campaign. They argue the attacks aim to distract voters from economic frustrations, such as rising prices for gas and groceries.
The origins of the GOP claims trace back to social media posts by El-Sayed's half-sister, Fatten Elkomy, in 2012 and 2013. Elkomy wrote that their birthmother was active in the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt during the early 1970s while in college. El-Sayed, who was born in the U.S., said his parents divorced when he was three. He was raised by his stepmother and has not discussed his birthmother's past with her since.
Cruz also cited El-Sayed's role as president of the Muslim Students' Association chapter at the University of Michigan. He pointed to a 2011 op-ed by El-Sayed supporting protests against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and a 2012 open letter supporting then-President Mohamed Morsi. Morsi was the political leader of the Muslim Brotherhood and was removed from power by the Egyptian military in 2013.
Rogers, the Republican nominee, said the race is the most important in the country. He told reporters that El-Sayed is a liar regarding his ties to the group. "When you can't tell the truth about things that matter on life and death, I just don't think you have any business being in the United States Senate," Rogers said. The campaign noted that the group stands for ideologies that contrast with American ideals.
El-Sayed responded to the focus on his family by arguing that Republicans are suggesting he has dual loyalties. Speaking in Marquette, Michigan, on Oct. 16, he said, "My mom and my sister are not running for office. I'm running for office. Judge me by my actions and my work." He emphasized that his method of prayer should not determine his commitment to the Constitution.
Cruz clarified his stance when asked about the dual loyalty argument. He said he does not know about dual loyalties but noted that the demonstrated loyalties he sees are to the Muslim Brotherhood. "I'm not talking about how he prays. I'm talking about ideology and advocating for and supporting a terrorist organization," Cruz told reporters. He also warned that if El-Sayed wins, progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might become the 2028 Democratic presidential nominee.
The Muslim Brotherhood is currently banned in several Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Rogers acknowledged that the U.S. has had to manage relationships with Egyptian intelligence services that the group attempted to undo. He noted that while there are moderate members, the U.S. must watch the situation carefully. The race is rated as a toss-up by the CBS News Battleground Tracker.
El-Sayed's campaign spokesperson Cole Wozniak called Cruz a deeply unpopular politician who supports policies that hurt Michigan families. Wozniak said Cruz voted to cut healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. The race is one of the most watched in the country as Michigan, a state that voted for President Trump in 2016 and 2024, decides its next U.S. senator.
