Obama endorses Michigan Senate candidate amid attacks over Muslim identity

Former US president Barack Obama endorsed Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan on Saturday, defending him against attacks over his Muslim identity as President Donald Trump dismissed the turnout at the campaign rally.

Obama addressed more than 4,300 supporters at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, backing El-Sayed ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The Democratic candidate faces Republican Mike Rogers in a closely contested Senate race.

“Abdul is fighting for change, real change, change that will bring an end to this war,” Obama said, referring to the US war against Iran.

The former president also praised El-Sayed’s proposals to reduce the influence of money in politics and expand access to affordable healthcare. He said the candidate would “finish the job we started” through the Affordable Care Act, signed into law in 2010.

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Obama also defended El-Sayed against Republican attacks questioning his religious background and alleging links to the Muslim Brotherhood. He compared the criticism to false claims about his own identity and religion during his presidential campaigns.

“We have seen this movie before. I starred in it,” Obama said. “This stuff didn’t work on me. Not in Michigan, it’s not going to work for Abdul,” he added.

Trump, speaking later on Saturday at a Republican campaign rally in Perry, Georgia, mocked Obama’s appearance and claimed the Detroit event had attracted almost no supporters.

“You know, I saw Barack Hussein Obama was in Michigan, and the place was empty,” Trump said, despite reports that thousands had attended the event.

Trump and other Republicans have repeatedly accused El-Sayed of extremist affiliations, including alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed has denied the allegations, and no credible evidence has emerged establishing such ties.

In a subsequent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticised Obama’s support for Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris, both of whom lost their presidential elections.

“He said that Crooked Hillary Clinton was going to WIN, he campaigned hard for her, and she lost in all directions and ways. He then campaigned full out for Kamala, and likewise, she lost,” Trump wrote.

Obama also campaigned for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson, who is challenging Republican Representative John James.

During the Detroit rally, Obama described the midterm elections as an opportunity to increase accountability in the Trump administration.

“We got to flip that circuit breaker, bring some accountability to this government,” he said.

Trump is scheduled to campaign in Michigan on Sunday in support of Republican candidates as both parties seek to strengthen their positions ahead of the November elections.