Sanders and Trump trade attacks during Michigan Senate race rallies

Senator Bernie Sanders spoke alongside Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed at a Sunday campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, according to the Washington Examiner. Sanders used the event to launch a sharp attack on President Donald Trump, accusing him of running a corrupt administration and stoking racial divisions to benefit billionaires. Fox News and PBS NewsHour reported that Trump also campaigned in Michigan on Sunday, delivering remarks to supporters in Port Huron. [1][4][5]

During his Port Huron appearance, Trump intensified his rhetoric against El-Sayed, PBS NewsHour reported. According to PBS NewsHour and NBC News, Trump called the former Detroit health official a jihadist, claimed he was on the side of terrorists, and questioned his loyalty to the United States. NBC News added that Trump invoked the September 11 attacks while urging voters to oppose the Democratic candidate. [4][7]

El-Sayed previously served as executive director of the Detroit Health Department and is the Democratic nominee in the 2026 United States Senate election in Michigan, as FTMQ News reported earlier. He is running against Republican nominee Mike Rogers in the general election. [10][12]

Sanders and Trump both campaigned heavily in the battleground state as part of a broader push by party leaders ahead of the midterm elections, according to Fox News. Sanders began a two-day tour of Michigan to support El-Sayed, KVII reported. [5][8]