Abdul El-Sayed becomes first Muslim to be elected to US Senate

Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and epidemiologist born to Egyptian immigrants, has made history as the first Muslim elected to the US Senate. The Michigan native won a fiercely contested Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers, a race considered crucial for both parties. Michigan, a swing state, had been a Democratic stronghold for decades.

El-Sayed's campaign centered on universal healthcare and reducing the influence of money in politics, particularly with younger progressive voters. However, President Trump targeted El-Sayed, labeling him a "jihadist lunatic" and mocking his name. The Republican candidate's opponents also accused El-Sayed of connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned in several Middle Eastern countries.

This alienated Arab Americans, who make up nearly 300,000 residents in Michigan, a key constituency for El-Sayed. Despite these hurdles, former President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned with El-Sayed in the final weeks, bolstering his chances. The election results underscore the deep divisions within the country and serve as a referendum on President Trump, whose approval ratings had plummeted due to economic and foreign policy issues.

Trump, in a controversial move, announced the end of $4 billion in annual military aid to Israel after the year's end, citing criticism from Democrats and El-Sayed. This decision followed AIPAC, a powerful pro-Israel lobby, deciding to cease direct campaign contributions and endorsements, operating instead through its Super PAC, the United Democracy Project.