Cruz calls Abdul El-Sayed a Muslim Brotherhood supporter, drawing a denial
Cruz’s claims and warning
Speaking at an event in Grosse Pointe Woods, Cruz said El-Sayed might receive high-level security clearance if elected to the Senate and could serve on its Intelligence Committee. Cruz said he believed El-Sayed supported the Muslim Brotherhood and warned that Americans could die as a result.
El-Sayed has rejected the allegation. In a recent Fox News interview, he said he had never been a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and would never join it.
Campaigns trade criticism
El-Sayed campaign spokesperson Cole Wozniak said Cruz was unpopular and had backed policies that hurt Michigan families, including a vote to cut health care for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. Wozniak also accused Cruz and allies of trying to divert attention from rising costs for gas, groceries and other goods.
Rogers, El-Sayed’s opponent, repeated his view that the Michigan contest was the country’s most important race. He said El-Sayed was lying about connections to the Muslim Brotherhood and argued that someone who was untruthful about life-and-death issues should not serve in the Senate.
Past activity cited in debate
Cruz pointed to El-Sayed’s leadership of the Muslim Students’ Association chapter at the University of Michigan and a 2011 opinion piece supporting protests against Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. Then-President Barack Obama had called on Mubarak to step down during the Arab Spring protests.
Cruz rejected El-Sayed’s argument that Republicans were trying to portray him as having divided loyalties. Cruz said the concern was about ideology and support for a terrorist organization, not how El-Sayed prayed.
Other remarks and political claims
Cruz also said that if El-Sayed won, progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would become the Democratic presidential nominee in 2028. He warned that the country was divided and invoked Zohran Mamdani’s rise to mayor of New York City.
In 2012, Rogers said the United States would need to speak with some moderate Muslim Brotherhood members, while also saying they should be watched carefully. During his time in Congress, he voted for legislation that continued funding for Egypt under President Mohamed Morsi. The Muslim Brotherhood is banned in several Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Key points
- Cruz linked El-Sayed to the Muslim Brotherhood and warned about possible Senate security risks.
- El-Sayed has repeatedly denied membership in the organization.
- El-Sayed’s campaign called Cruz’s remarks a distraction from economic concerns.
- Rogers accused El-Sayed of lying about ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.