Cruz Slams Pro-El-Sayed Ad as Trump Denounces Michigan Democrat Ahead of Senate Election
Sen. Ted Cruz has launched a blistering attack on Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, accusing him of tolerating antisemitism and refusing to distance himself from a controversial political advertisement that connects Americans’ rising grocery bills to U.S. military assistance for Israel. The dispute has intensified in the final hours before Tuesday’s election, with President Donald Trump also attacking El-Sayed over what he describes as hostility toward Jews and white Americans.
The controversy has become a major issue in Michigan’s closely watched Senate contest between El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, particularly after Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who lost the party’s Senate primary to El-Sayed, broke with her own party and endorsed Rogers.
“He ran this ad that was one of the most vicious Jew-hating ads I’ve ever seen,” Cruz said.
The Texas senator argued that the commercial promotes an antisemitic narrative by suggesting that American families are struggling financially because the United States provides assistance to Israel.
“You literally have a husband and wife saying, ‘We can’t afford bananas,'” Cruz said. “I mean, it’s a hateful ad.”
Cruz also pointed to Uygur’s family connection to political streamer Hasan Piker, his nephew, who has faced repeated accusations of making antisemitic statements. The association has become a source of controversy surrounding El-Sayed’s candidacy, with critics demanding that he explicitly reject the rhetoric of individuals supporting his campaign.
President Trump escalated his criticism early Tuesday morning, issuing a sharply worded statement on Truth Social attacking El-Sayed and urging Michigan voters to support Rogers.
“Abdul El-Sayed Hates Jews and Hates Blacks. Don’t feel bad, he also Hates Whites. Only fools would vote for him in the Michigan race for the U.S. Senate! He will, 100%, do you in! VOTE FOR MIKE ROGERS. President DJT,” Trump wrote.
The president had previously criticized El-Sayed’s positions on Israel and warned Jewish voters against supporting him. At an October 25 campaign rally, Trump declared, “Any Jewish person that supports this guy should be ashamed of themselves.”
“I laid out the evidence systematically, objectively the evidence, demonstrating that Abdul El-Sayed has been a vocal, passionate, and public supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood for decades,” Cruz said.
Cruz nevertheless maintained that his criticism concerned political ideology and national security rather than El-Sayed’s religion.
“I agree, and I will defend his right to pray till my dying breath. I’m not talking about his praying. I’m talking about an ideology,” he said.
The senator also accused major television networks of failing to examine his allegations adequately. He singled out CBS News’ Margaret Brennan and NBC News’ Kristen Welker, contending that their programs had portrayed his criticism as religious prejudice without sufficiently addressing the evidence he claimed to possess.
“Apparently the networks don’t cover facts. They’re not in the news business,” Cruz said.
“I don’t belong in Abdul’s campaign. I do not stand with Hasan Piker,” Stevens said in a video explaining her decision.
Stevens subsequently appeared alongside Rogers at a Detroit church service, where she confirmed that she intended to vote for the Republican Senate nominee while continuing to support Democrats in other races.
Cruz hailed her decision as an unusual act of political independence.
“It was a demonstration of courage. It was a demonstration of principle. It was putting country first before party,” he said.
Stevens’ decision drew strong criticism from Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Schumer described the endorsement as a “despicable betrayal,” while Pelosi called it a “horrific endorsement” of Rogers.
“Schumer and Pelosi care only about power. Nothing else matters,” Cruz responded on social media.
Republicans are hoping Stevens’ endorsement will influence moderate Democrats, Jewish voters, and independents who remain undecided about the Senate race. Trump praised her decision as an act of political bravery and suggested that she might eventually join the Republican Party.
“I think this could ensure that Mike Rogers wins,” Cruz said.
El-Sayed’s campaign, meanwhile, has sought to turn the controversy into a fundraising and organizing opportunity. His campaign reported raising $2.4 million following Stevens’ endorsement, while supporters argued that the dispute demonstrated his independence from the Democratic establishment.
