Far-left Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, the projected winner of Michigan’s open Senate seat, used his election-night victory speech to directly taunt President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance after becoming the first Muslim elected to the chamber.
With roughly 76 percent of ballots counted, El-Sayed held about 51.8 percent of the vote to Rogers’ 46.2 percent, keeping the seat in Democrat hands after retiring Sen. Gary Peters decided not to seek another term.
El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit and Wayne County health director, told the crowd, “JD, Habibi, there is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in, in January. So, you know what that means? Wolverine one, Buckeye zero.”
He then turned his attention to the president with the line, “Donald, look, I know you struggled with my name. So, after JD swears me in in January, you could just go on and call me Senator.”
WATCH:
🇺🇸 Shots fired!
Abdul El-Sayed just said, “JD, habibi, there is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January,” in his projected victory speech.
Wouldn’t be shocked if these guys literally end up coming to blows. 🤣
Writer:…
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 4, 2026
Abdul El-Sayed to Trump:
Donald, look, I know you struggled with my name. So after JD swears me in in January, you can just go on and call me Senator. pic.twitter.com/47FD4QMYUa
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 4, 2026
Trump had previously referred to El-Sayed as “Mohammed.”
WATCH:
🔥 LMAO! President Trump has spent weeks jokingly calling Abdul El-Sayed “Mohamed,” and TODAY found out his middle name is ACTUALLY Mohamed 🤣
“You know, I took a LOT of heat for calling him Mohamed… and today, a guy sends me something. His name is actually… pic.twitter.com/JJCBmqJx0z
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 16, 2026
Vance called him a “little weasel,” and said there is something “very, very evil” about him. He told him to keep Usha Vance’s name out of his mouth after El-Sayed posted asking about whether Vance would take his wife back in time to meet his grandfather.
WATCH:
JD Vance calls El-Sayed “a little weasel who should shut his mouth and show a little gratitude” pic.twitter.com/TFkolXZfGg
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 15, 2026
El-Sayed had answered earlier comments from Trump by saying, “I don’t care how he pronounces my name. I don’t even care that he remembers my whole name. Because he can just go on and call me ‘senator’ after November. I will be Senator Mohamed to you, bro.”
He also told a crowd, “Habibi, if you can’t say the name, don’t say the name,” and performed an impression of the president’s pronunciation.
WATCH:
El-Sayed: Donald Trump cannot seem to keep my name out of his mouth. Habibi, if you can’t say the name, don’t say the name. “Abdul. Abull”. Do not say it like that. It is creepy. Holds onto the “L” a little too long. Natalie is going to show him this clip and he’s going to be so mad.
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 26, 2026
El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, previously lost a 2018 Democrat primary for governor to Gretchen Whitmer before serving in public health roles.
He narrowly defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in the August Democratic primary despite heavy outside spending against him, then faced Rogers in a dramatic race that drew national attention.
Just days before the election, Stevens crossed party lines and endorsed Rogers. The Michigan Democratic Party expelled her for it.
El-Sayed is set to take office in January.
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