‘It’s a thing called bravery’: Trump hails Haley Stevens after she backs Republican Mike Rogers

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Sunday, November 1, praised Democratic Rep Haley Stevens after she endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers in Michigan, breaking with her party's nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, just two days before Election Day.

Stevens announced her decision in a video, saying El-Sayed had told her she was no longer welcome in his campaign. Trump subsequently celebrated the endorsement on Truth Social, describing the congresswoman's move as an act of bravery.

Trump calls Haley Stevens' endorsement of Mike Rogers an act of 'bravery'

Stevens announced her endorsement after a public dispute with El-Sayed, her former rival in the Democratic Senate primary.

“As you may have seen, our Democratic nominee for US Senate, Abdul, said I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away, and he's right,” Stevens said. “And that's why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the US Senate today.”

Trump responded shortly afterward, writing on Truth Social that “Wow, this is big,” before describing Stevens as a highly respected Democrat who had narrowly lost the primary to El-Sayed. The president also claimed she had been encouraged by Democrats to support the party's Senate campaign against Rogers.

“Haley said what few people are willing to say,” Trump continued. “She showed great and almost unprecedented loyalty to the Great People of Michigan with what she did. It's a thing called bravery, and few people have it like just displayed by Congresswoman Haley Stevens!”

At a joint press conference following the endorsement, Stevens defended her decision as being in Michigan's interests and said it was about standing “with country.”

“90% of the votes I'm going to cast are going to be for Democrats. My vote for Senate, I am just one vote, as is every Michigander. My vote for Senate is going to be with Mike Rogers. And I will tell you why. Because we have to stand with country,” she said.

When reporters later asked Trump whether he would reach out to Stevens, he said he wanted to thank her. Asked whether she should become a member of the Republican Party, the president replied, “I’d love to have her.”

Israel dispute deepens rift between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed

The endorsement followed months of tension between the former primary opponents, particularly over their positions on Israel.

El-Sayed has called for the United States to stop funding Israel's military and described its actions in Gaza as genocide. Stevens has rejected that characterization and voted against an amendment seeking to block funding for Israel.

The dispute intensified last week after Stevens demanded that El-Sayed apologize for his comments about Israel and condemn an advertisement from an outside group that she described as antisemitic.

The two had been expected to appear together on Sunday. However, Stevens instead attended a church service in Detroit alongside Rogers before announcing her endorsement. El-Sayed attended a service at a different Detroit church with Rep. Jim Clyburn.

Speaking to reporters, El-Sayed dismissed the significance of Stevens' decision and shifted attention to the cost-of-living concerns facing Michigan residents.

“None of this matters,” he said. “You know what matters? There are families who are preparing to send their kids to schools tomorrow that look like they did 50 years ago. They're worried about what they're going to feed their kids for lunch. They're worried that if one of their kids gets sick, they're not going to be able to pay the bills. Those are the things that matter.”

“At the end of the day, I actually don't think about Haley Stevens,” El-Sayed added.