Trump heads to Michigan after Obama backs Democrat

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump will address Republican supporters in eastern Michigan, following in the footsteps of former President Barack Obama who campaigned on the same day for Democratic candidates. Michigan's Senate race, an open-seat contest between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, is crucial in determining which party will control the chamber.

Although Trump has previously targeted El-Sayed from a distance, he has not campaigned in Michigan during the current election cycle. The Republican president has accused El-Sayed of being a Muslim extremist, mocking his middle name Mohamed. El-Sayed has refuted these claims, stating that faith is lacking in Washington, and Rogers has alleged without evidence that El-Sayed is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

During a rally in Detroit on Saturday, Obama framed the attacks on El-Sayed as an attempt to diminish his patriotism and American credentials. He likened the situation to his own experience of false claims about his birthplace. Obama then pledged El-Sayed's support, emphasizing that the accusations would not resonate with him or Michigan voters.

The presidential rally in Port Huron will also touch upon the ongoing US-Canada tariff dispute, which has negatively impacted Michigan's automotive industry. This has prompted Republican candidate Mike Rogers to distance himself from Trump's trade policies. With Democrats needing to gain four seats in both the Senate and House to overturn the narrow Republican majority, the race in Michigan is of significant importance.