Trump says Black and Jewish voters backing Democrat Abdul El-Sayed ‘are crazy’
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA: President Donald Trump targeted Black and Jewish voters who support Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, saying they're “crazy” if they vote for him during a campaign rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Thursday, October 29.
Trump also repeated allegations that El-Sayed was associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, claims that the Democrat has repeatedly denied. The remarks come just days before the November 3 election, in which El-Sayed faces Trump-backed Republican Mike Rogers in a closely contested Senate race.
Trump targets Black and Jewish voters while repeating allegations against Abdul El-Sayed
During his speech, Trump shifted attention from the South Carolina races to Michigan’s Senate contest, urging Black and Jewish voters not to support El-Sayed, who would become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate if he wins.
“If you’re Black or if you’re Jewish, and if you vote for Abdul, you’re crazy, ok,” the 80-year-old told the audience, drawing applause. He went on, “You’re crazy anyway. But if you’re Black or Jewish and you vote, the things that this guy has said is …” Trump did not complete the sentence before moving on to discuss Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.
TRUMP: If you're Black, or if you're Jewish, and you vote for Abdul, you're crazy. You're crazy anyway. https://t.co/crsDl2ns3c
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 29, 2026
The president also renewed his repeated allegations that El-Sayed was connected to the Muslim Brotherhood, saying, “They have a guy running now who's definitely Muslim Brotherhood.” Trump referred to the Democrat's past political statements and questioned his account of his own background.
El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and former public health administrator whose family immigrated from Egypt, has faced repeated attacks over his Muslim faith and criticism of Israel. Trump has previously described him as a “vicious, violent” extremist.
Trump's remarks echo his 2024 presidential campaign as Obama condemns attacks
The comments echoed Trump's rhetoric during the 2024 presidential campaign. In 2024, the presdient said that "if anybody I know is Jewish and they would vote for Kamala over me, they should have their heads examined." Trump also targeted Catholic voters for the same, stating that "any Catholic that votes for Comrade Kamala Harris should have their head examined."
"If anybody I know is Jewish and they would vote for Kamala over me, they should have their heads examined" -- Trump https://t.co/qCUyBhOSDa
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 8, 2024
He also targeted senior citizens over the same, saying, "If any senior doesn't vote for Trump, we're gonna have to send you to a psychiatrist to have your head examined."
Obama: We have seen this movie before. I starred in it! I've got a long-form birth certificate to prove it. This stuff didn't work on me in Michigan, it's not going to work on Abdul. https://t.co/3gkQtfe0uG
— Mari Manoogian (@MariManoogian) October 24, 2026
Former President Barack Obama has defended El-Sayed against Republican attacks, comparing the criticism to the racist conspiracy theories he faced during his own political career. Speaking at a Detroit rally, Obama said, "We have seen this movie before. I starred in it. This stuff didn't work on me. Not in Michigan. It's not going to work on Abdul."
