‘He is a Muslim’: Bernie Sanders challenges Trump’s attack on Abdul El-Sayed

WASHINGTON, DC: Bernie Sanders pushed back against President Donald Trump's attacks on Abdul El-Sayed, saying the Michigan candidate's Muslim identity became an early focus after his narrow primary victory.

Sanders said El-Sayed's win was extraordinary despite being outspent nine to one, with $60 million in billionaire-funded super PAC money entering the race.

Sanders challenges focus on El-Sayed's identity

Speaking on CBS’ ‘Face the Nation’ with Margaret Brennan" on Sunday, August 9, Bernie Sanders turned directly to Trump's criticism of Abdul El-Sayed and the Michigan candidate's position on Israel.

El-Sayed campaigned on cutting unconditional aid to several countries, including Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. 

His comments about Israel and the war in Gaza have drawn criticism, while Sanders has backed his broader position against funding what he called an extremist government.

Asked whether El-Sayed should change how he talks about the issue to avoid criticism, Sanders said the candidate was capable of making his own political decisions.

Sanders then directly challenged Trump's response to El-Sayed's victory.

"From Trump on down, you know, you have Trump, who is in many ways an authoritarian type, and he is going to go after El-Sayed because, you know, for r****t reasons," Sanders said.

He said the first announcement after El-Sayed won focused on his religion.

"I think their first announcement after Abdul won is, he is a Muslim, and we're all supposed to hate Muslims," Sanders said.

Sanders accused Trump's side of having little to say about the country's economic problems and said the attacks instead focused on race and labels such as "communists."

Vermont Senator defends El-Sayed after Michigan win

"I look at that analysis a little bit differently, Margaret," Sanders said, calling El-Sayed's victory "one of the most extraordinary victories in modern political history."

Sanders said El-Sayed won despite being heavily outspent, arguing that the result showed voters were frustrated with economic inequality and the political influence of wealthy donors.

He also pointed to the $60 million spent by billionaire-funded super PACs in the Michigan primary. 

Vermont Senator said half of that money came from AIPAC, which spent $30 million trying to defeat El-Sayed.

Trump has said he was happy El-Sayed won because he would be an easier candidate to defeat. 

Sanders offered a different explanation for the result, saying voters across the country are "sick and tired" of the status quo and rising inequality.

He also criticized the campaign finance system, asking why Democrats would allow outside groups to enter their primaries and then support candidates from the opposing party if their preferred candidate loses.

"To me, it is insane that the Democrats would allow somebody to come in, an entity to come in, that will then, if they lose, go into the other party," Sanders said.

Bernie Sanders calls for limits on super PACs

Sanders also used the interview to renew his call for restrictions on super PAC involvement in Democratic primary races.

He said he has sent a letter to Democratic leaders in Congress and the Democratic National Committee calling for public funding of elections and a party rule barring political action committees from participating in Democratic primaries.

Sanders said the proposal would not apply to general elections.

"General election can't, but within primaries, Democrats can get super PACs out," he said. "That's what they should do."