{
  "id": 18089725,
  "title": "Abdul El-Sayed becomes first Muslim to be elected to US Senate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/abdul-el-sayed-becomes-first-muslim-to-be-elected-to-us-senate-18089725",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T07:28:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/11/04/abdul-el-sayed-becomes-first-muslim-to-be-elected-to-us-senate/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Abdul El-Sayed has become the first Muslim to be elected to the US Senate, triumphing in one of the most closely watched contests in the midterm elections. The historic victory caps an extraordinary campaign for the progressive candidate from Michigan, a son of Egyptian immigrants. Mr El-Sayed, who is a physician and epidemiologist, faced off against Republican Mike Rogers in a Senate race seen…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "US midterm elections: Democrats win Senate race in South Carolina",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/us-midterm-elections-democrats-win-senate-race-in-south-carolina",
        "published": "2026-11-04T03:24:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "El-Sayed defeats Rogers to win Senate seat in Michigan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/el-sayed-defeats-rogers-to-win-senate-seat-in-michigan",
        "published": "2026-11-04T07:31:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "US midterm elections 2026: Abdul El-Sayed becomes first Muslim elected to Senate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/us-midterm-elections-2026-abdul-el-sayed-becomes-first-muslim-elected",
        "published": "2026-11-04T07:40:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "'We did it!': Democrat El-Sayed hails US Senate win amid blue 'tsunami'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/we-did-it-democrat-el-sayed-hails-us-senate-win-amid-blue-tsunami",
        "published": "2026-11-04T08:02:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "'We did it!': Democrat El-Sayed hails US Senate win, becomes first Muslim elected to upper chamber of Congress",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/we-did-it-democrat-el-sayed-hails-us-senate-win-becomes-first-muslim",
        "published": "2026-11-04T08:25:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "US’ first Muslim senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed slams Trump, Vance in victory speech: ‘I know you struggle with my name’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/us-first-muslim-senator-elect-abdul-el-sayed-slams-trump-vance-in",
        "published": "2026-11-04T08:36:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "US Gets 1st Muslim Senator As Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Race",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/us-gets-1st-muslim-senator-as-abdul-el-sayed-wins-michigan-senate-race",
        "published": "2026-11-04T08:39:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "This Day",
        "title": "Abdul El-Sayed Makes History as First Muslim Elected to US Senate in Michigan Victory",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/abdul-el-sayed-makes-history-as-first-muslim-elected-to-us-senate-in",
        "published": "2026-11-04T08:45:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "Abdul El-Sayed becomes first Muslim elected to US Senat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/abdul-el-sayed-becomes-first-muslim-elected-to-us-senat",
        "published": "2026-11-04T09:34:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}