Trump leans into Islamophobia and conspiracy in last-ditch campaign rallies

The president repeated his claim that Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic US Senate hopeful from Michigan, is a jihadist at both rallies on Sunday, joking that if elected, the Senate would need special metal detectors for him. Trump also made unfounded allegations that El-Sayed is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, which the US has deemed a foreign terrorist organization.

Campaign Strategy

At both events, Trump repeatedly urged supporters to vote, asking them to pretend I'm on the ballot as he sought to energize Republican voters. The rallies were initially cancelled last week but were rescheduled and will be Trump's final traveling events before the election.

Targeted Attacks

Trump also took aim at US Representative Ilhan Omar, claiming without evidence that she was previously married to her brother. In Iowa, he expressed interest in Democratic Representative Haley Stevens switching parties after she endorsed El-Sayed's Republican opponent, Mike Rogers.

In Kansas, the president attacked Democratic Senate hopeful Adam Hamilton, a church pastor, for his support of trans rights, calling him a stiff who reads sermons from teleprompters. The US-Israel war on Iran, cost of living, immigration, and criticism of former President Joe Biden also featured prominently in both speeches.

Critical Races

While Iowa and Kansas are mostly represented by Republican lawmakers, polling suggests Democrats could flip both states. Kansas hasn't elected a Democratic senator since 1932, but all five federal congressional seats are competitive. In Iowa, the Senate race is too close to call, though two state representative seats appear to be leaning Democrat.

Both rallies were interrupted multiple times by hecklers. The US will vote in the midterm elections on November 3, with results determining control of Congress during Trump's final two years as president.