Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Nov 2: US President Donald Trump repeated his attacks on Muslim Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and made controversial remarks about the Democratic Party during campaign rallies in Iowa and Kansas on Sunday, just two days before crucial midterm elections.
Trump described El-Sayed, who is contesting the Senate seat in Michigan, as a “jihadist” and joked that the Senate would need a special metal detector to screen him if he were elected.
“We’ll have a hundred senators, and most of them will go directly into the Senate. We’re gonna have to get a special metal detector for Abdul,” Trump told supporters, drawing laughter from the crowd.
The president also repeated unsubstantiated claims that El-Sayed was associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, an international Islamist organisation whose branches have been designated as terrorist organisations by the United States.
At both rallies, Trump urged supporters to turn out to vote and asked them to “pretend I’m on the ballot”, seeking to energise Republican voters ahead of the November 3 elections. The contests will determine which party controls Congress during the final two years of his presidency.
The Iowa and Kansas rallies had initially been cancelled last week before being rescheduled. They marked Trump's final campaign appearances outside Washington ahead of Election Day. Both events were interrupted several times by hecklers.
In Iowa, Trump praised Democratic Representative Haley Stevens, who lost the Michigan Senate primary to El-Sayed, after she endorsed Republican candidate Mike Rogers. He said he would welcome Stevens joining the Republican Party.
Trump also targeted Minnesota Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, repeating allegations concerning her marriage and family that he has made previously without providing evidence.
At the Kansas rally, Trump criticised Democratic Senate candidate Adam Hamilton, a church pastor, over his support for transgender rights. He described Hamilton as a “stiff” and mocked his use of teleprompters while delivering sermons.
The president also addressed the US-Israel war against Iran, the rising cost of living, immigration, alleged media bias and the administration of former president Joe Biden during the two speeches.
The election campaign has become increasingly competitive in several traditionally Republican-leaning states. Iowa and Kansas are represented largely by Republican lawmakers, but Democrats are seeking to make gains in both states.
Kansas has five congressional contests at stake, including one Senate seat and all four House seats. The state last elected a Democratic senator in 1932. Democrat Adam Hamilton is challenging Republican incumbent Roger Marshall.
In Iowa, the Senate contest is also closely watched, with Democrat Josh Turek challenging Republican Ashley Hinson. Several state-level contests are also being closely contested.
The November 3 midterm elections will decide control of the US House of Representatives and Senate, shaping the legislative agenda for the remainder of Trump's current term.