Former President [Donald Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump) posted on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, incorrectly naming Democratic Senate candidate [Abdul El‑Sayed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdul_El‑Sayed) as “Mohammed.” The misnomer came amid a heated exchange between the two men as the Michigan contest draws national attention.
**What did Trump say?**
Trump accused El‑Sayed of being a “terrorist sympathiser,” a claim that has no factual basis. He also linked the candidate to extremist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Al‑Qaeda, and labelled him the “best friend” of left‑wing influencer Hasan Piker.
**How did El‑Sayed respond?**
Speaking at a campaign event in Grand Rapids, El‑Sayed replied, “I think Donald might be struggling a little bit. He thinks my name’s Mohammed … My name’s Abdul, and you know it. And the only reason he won’t say it is I keep ripping you.” He added, “So try again and get it right because we’re going to teach you how to say it properly,” prompting laughter from the audience.
**Why is the Michigan seat crucial?**
The race for the [Michigan Senate race](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_election_in_Michigan,_2024) is viewed as a bellwether for control of the U.S. Senate. Democrats need to hold the seat to keep a foothold in the chamber and aim to flip four additional Republican seats in the 100‑member body. The state voted for Trump in the 2024 presidential election, yet Democrat Elissa Slotkin narrowly beat Republican Mike Rogers for the other Michigan Senate seat.
El‑Sayed, an Arab‑American physician, enjoys endorsements from progressive figures such as Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez, and Elizabeth Warren, as well as the United Auto Workers union. His platform calls for universal health care, higher taxes on billionaires, an end to unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel, and reduced corporate influence in elections.
The incident underscores the increasingly personal tone of the campaign, with Trump’s supporters continuing to focus on El‑Sayed’s religious background despite the candidate’s emphasis on policy issues.