Graham condemns religious loyalty tests aimed at El-Sayed
Renée GrahamBoston Globe opinion columnist
Graham condemns the attacks as bigoted loyalty tests that divert El-Sayed from discussing affordability and his candidacy. She compares them with earlier demands aimed at John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama.
“Every moment that El-Sayed is forced to defend his religion is a distraction”
Analysis
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
Analysis
About this source
Graham compares the attacks with earlier demands that candidates establish their loyalty to the United States.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Her October 29 column discusses attacks on El-Sayed's religion and family.
After the quotation
She argues that even answers to the allegations will not end the demands.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Graham expressly condemns the attacks and their effect.
- Recorded on
- Published here
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
Cole rejects the alleged Brotherhood affiliation
“made up out of whole cloth.”Read statement
Khalil rejects the jihadist label
“There is absolutely no credible reason to apply the term to El-Sayed”Read statement
Share or embed this statement
The embed keeps its attribution link to The Dispute Index. Credit the image to The Dispute Index and link to the statement page.
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Graham condemns religious loyalty tests aimed at El-Sayed
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/7380-graham-condemns-the-attacks-as-bigoted-loyalty-tests
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Graham condemns religious loyalty tests aimed at El-Sayed". First published: 2026-10-30. Last updated: 2026-10-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/7380-graham-condemns-the-attacks-as-bigoted-loyalty-tests