Abdul El-Sayed speaks at a campaign rally in Flint, Michigan, on October 18.
Katie McTiernan/Anadolu/Getty Images
Egyptian billionaire business magnate Naguib Sawiris publicly defended US Senator Abdul El-Sayed following online controversy surrounding the newly elected politician’s background.
Sawiris hailed El-Sayed as a “resilient, sharp, and charismatic” Egyptian who earned his historic US Senate victory on merit.
Weighing in on social media discussions regarding alleged ties between El-Sayed and the Muslim Brotherhood, Sawiris dismissed the accusations via X (formerly Twitter): “Brotherhood affiliate or not… What matters is that he is a smart, resilient, and witty Egyptian who earned his victory on merit.”
Viral town hall exchange
Sawiris’s comments followed a widely shared video clip showing a fiery exchange between El-Sayed and a voter during a Michigan town hall.
When questioned directly by the voter about potential ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, the Democratic candidate firmly rejected the assertion and completely disavowed any connection to the group.
The exchange triggered significant online debate, with supporters pointing to the interaction as an instance of faith-based assumptions directed at Muslim candidates in public office.
Milestone election victory
El-Sayed announced his victory in Michigan’s US Senate race after defeating Republican opponent Mike Rogers.
The result marks a major milestone, making El-Sayed the first Muslim elected to the US Congress’s upper chamber.
