Trump’s Michigan Senate pick Mike Rogers distances himself from El-Sayed attacks, dodges MAGA label
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump’s GOP pick to challenge famous Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Mike Rogers, appeared to distance himself from his boss when asked about Trump’s attacks on his opponent during an interview.
Trump has repeatedly targeted Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed during the 2026 campaign, calling him a “radical extremist”, a "terr** sympathizer", and a "vicious violent jiha***," while also accusing him of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Mike Rogers responds to Trump’s attacks on El-Sayed
Appearing on 'NBC’s Meet the Press' on Sunday, October 25, Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers discussed Trump’s remarks about his opponent, Abdul El-Sayed.
Rogers said he had never called El-Sayed a terr**. However, he did not directly condemn Trump’s remarks or say whether he believed the president should have used that language.
Notably, Rogers has previously made allegations about El-Sayed’s supposed ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. In an earlier interview with CNN, Rogers said the issue was El-Sayed’s alleged relationship with the organization, rather than his religious identity. El-Sayed has denied allegations questioning his loyalty to the United States.
Trump referred to El-Sayed as a “vicious, violent ji***” on Friday while speaking to reporters.
Trump’s Michigan pick dodges question about being a MAGA Republican
During the same interview, Rogers repeatedly declined to directly answer whether he considers himself a “MAGA Republican.”
“Let me just ask you, big picture, do you consider yourself to be a MAGA Republican?” Welker asked.
Rogers redirected the conversation toward Democratic figures who, he claimed, would not vote for El-Sayed.
“Listen, I’m going to tell you something. I get you guys on the national press, but this is a little bit disgusting to me. You know what you don’t cover? The chairman of the Democrat Party just came out and said he cannot, the former chairman, sorry, he cannot vote for Abdul [El-Sayed]. This current senator’s Finance chairman came out and said, ‘I can’t vote’—” Rogers replied.
Despite Welker’s repeated attempts to bring him back to the question, Rogers continued to focus on criticism of El-Sayed.
“Congressman, can you answer my question?” Welker asked. “Are you a MAGA Republican?”
“I’ve already answered the question, Kristen,” Rogers replied.
Rogers did not directly state whether he identifies as a MAGA Republican.
