Donald Trump lashed out at Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed at a campaign event in Iowa on Sunday, repeatedly referring to the Michigan progressive as a “jihadist.” Trump’s comments were aimed at influencing a tight race that will play a huge role in determining which party controls the Senate after Tuesday’s midterm elections. The president attacked El-Sayed, a practicing Muslim, in blatantly racist terms, saying that Congress would have to “get a special metal detector for Abdul” if he were El-Sayed responded by telling Stevens to stay away from a campaign event at which they were supposed to appear together on Sunday. Stevens turned around and endorsed Mike Rogers, El-Sayed’s Republican opponent. Steven’s high-profile defection in the closing hours of the close race drew condemnation from Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, who is Jewish. Trump, on the other hand, praised Stevens for turning against El-Sayed, urging her to join the Republican Party. “It was an incredible thing,” Trump said. “I would love for her to join the Republican Party. I think that could happen.” Trump then praised Rogers in metaphorical terms. From our opinion table. After the newsletter promotion: “Mike Rodgers is apple pie,” Trump said. “And you know what this country needs? Some apple pie. We don’t need the communists or the jihadists or the Muslim Brotherhood. We need apple pie. He is apple pie. It’ll be good.” Trump had little time to watch football this weekend, he noted, because he had been “going to these damn rallies all over the place.” “Pretend you’re on the ballot,” Trump said. “Basically, I’m on the ballot.”
