At a campaign event in Iowa shortly before Election Day, Trump reportedly referred to El-Sayed as a “jihadist lunatic” and suggested he should have to pass through a metal detector before entering the Senate.
Trump also reportedly described him as a communist and made claims about his alleged connections to the Muslim Brotherhood.
El-Sayed, meanwhile, argued that political leaders should focus on the issues affecting ordinary Americans, including the cost of groceries, gasoline and other everyday expenses.
“They want an America that is too small for some of us,” he said. “We know that America is big enough for all of us.”
El-Sayed Challenges Trump to Take a Lie Detector Test
El-Sayed also responded directly to Trump’s metal detector remark during a campaign rally at Western Michigan University.
“He said that I should have to go through a metal detector. That’s all right, man, he took that Wolverine thing seriously. He knows I got claws,” El-Sayed said.
He then turned the comment into a challenge directed at the president.
“I’ll go through a metal detector if you’ll sit for a lie detector. Simple. I got nothing to hide. You’ve got so much to hide,” he said.
El-Sayed went on to reference questions surrounding Trump’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in 2019. He also mentioned Trump’s repeated claims about the 2020 presidential election.
The remarks added another moment of tension to an already heated campaign.
El-Sayed Delivers a Message to JD Vance
In his victory speech, El-Sayed also addressed Vice President JD Vance, using the Arabic word “habibi,” which can mean “my dear” or “my friend.”
“Habibi, there is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in, in January,” he said.
The comment referred to the constitutional role of the vice president in presiding over the Senate and administering the oath of office to newly elected senators.
“You Can Just Call Me Senator,” El-Sayed Tells Trump
El-Sayed saved another pointed remark for President Trump, who had reportedly mocked or mispronounced his name during the campaign.
“Donald, I know you struggled with my name. So after JD swears me in in January, you can just go on and call me ‘Senator,’” El-Sayed said.
The line drew attention because it turned a recurring campaign criticism into a message about his upcoming role in the Senate.
El-Sayed’s victory speech focused on more than his political opponents. It also highlighted his message of inclusion and his belief that Americans from different backgrounds should have a place in the country’s political life.
Trump had not publicly responded to the victory-speech remark at the time of the report.
What do you think about El-Sayed’s reported victory and his response to Trump and Vance? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments.