Khalil rejects the jihadist label
Mohammad Hassan KhalilMichigan State University religious-studies professor
Khalil rejects applying the jihadist label to El-Sayed and calls it anti-Muslim bigotry and fearmongering.
“There is absolutely no credible reason to apply the term to El-Sayed”
Interview
Where this statement fits
Trump calls Abdul El-Sayed "Mohammed" and a jihadist; El-Sayed says Trump knows his name is Abdul
President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed as Mohammed, starting with a Truth Social post late on October 7, 2026, that said "Mohammed goes back to the days of the Jihad" and called him a terrorist sympathizer. At an October 16 rally in Dalton, Georgia, Trump said he had taken heat for the name, that as president he can call El-Sayed whatever he wants, and that El-Sayed's middle name is Mohammad. He also called El-Sayed a jihadist. El-Sayed says Trump knows his name is Abdul and is using his name and faith to distract voters.
Source and context
Interview
About this source
Khalil addresses the jihadist label; Cole addresses the alleged Muslim Brotherhood affiliation.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
PolitiFact asks about Trump's jihadist description in an October 26 email interview.
After the quotation
Khalil then expressly criticizes the label as bigotry.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Khalil rejects the characterization.
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More from this case
Read the full caseCollinson argues religious attacks challenge constitutional principles
“goes beyond a campaign scare. It challenges constitutional principles”Read statement
Graham condemns religious loyalty tests aimed at El-Sayed
“Every moment that El-Sayed is forced to defend his religion is a distraction”Read statement
Cole rejects the alleged Brotherhood affiliation
“made up out of whole cloth.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Khalil rejects the jihadist label". First published: 2026-10-30. Last updated: 2026-10-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/7378-khalil-rejects-applying-the-jihadist-label-to-el