Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) sharply condemned President Donald Trump’s recent attacks on Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, accusing the president of deliberately stoking religious and racial division during a Wednesday appearance on CNN’s “News Central.”
Host Kate Bolduan played a clip from a Monday rally in Ohio, where Trump called El-Sayed a “jihadist” and complained that the media gives him too much publicity while running against Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
Bolduan also noted that Trump posted again the previous night, referring to the candidate as “Mohamed El-Sayed” and questioning why Black voters would support someone who “openly scorns them, mocks them and disrespects them.”
Dingell: ‘I’m Sick of the Division and the Hatred’
Dingell did not hold back, saying she is “sick of the division and the hatred” and charging that Trump is “putting kerosene on a fire of going after people of different faiths and different colors.”
In her view, the role of the nation’s chief executive is to unify the country, not to frighten people or deepen hostility. “Our responsibilities as chief executive officer of this country is to try to pull people together, not to scare people, not to cause more hate and division and actually put targets on people’s backs,” Dingell said.
She went on to invoke the country’s founding principles, stating that America “was founded where all faiths are respected and our differences are what unite us.”
“So I know what he’s trying to do,” Dingell concluded. “He’s trying to scare people. He’s trying to put a target on their back.”
Trump’s Escalating Attacks on El-Sayed
The president’s rhetoric regarding the Michigan Senate race has intensified in recent days. During the Ohio rally, Trump described El-Sayed as a “jihadist” multiple times, adding that it bothers him how much media coverage the candidate receives.
He also praised Rogers, calling him a “very good candidate, very, very strong, very good” in contrast to El-Sayed.
Trump’s social media post late Tuesday night narrowed its focus entirely on El-Sayed, questioning the candidate’s relationship with Black voters and using what appears to be a different first name. The post claimed El-Sayed “openly scorns them, mocks them and disrespects them,” and predicted Black voters would not support him.
A Broader Pattern of Divisive Language
Dingell’s comments reflect growing concern among Democratic lawmakers about the tone of political discourse. While Trump has frequently used harsh language against opponents, Dingell’s accusation that he is placing “targets” on individuals based on faith is a particularly pointed charge.
El-Sayed, a former Michigan health department official and prominent progressive voice, has not yet responded publicly to the president’s latest remarks. His campaign has previously pushed back against attacks they describe as Islamophobic and racially charged.
The Michigan Senate race remains a key battleground, with Republicans hoping to flip a seat that could help determine control of the chamber. Trump’s active involvement in the race, both through rallies and social media, signals the high stakes of the contest.
Dingell, a long-serving congresswoman from Michigan and a fixture in state politics, has been an outspoken critic of the president throughout his term. Her decision to speak forcefully on CNN suggests Democrats see Trump’s attacks on El-Sayed as a flashpoint that could mobilize voters — or further polarize the electorate.
Reaction and Fallout
While the White House did not immediately comment on Dingell’s remarks, the exchange on CNN is likely to add to the national conversation about political civility and religious tolerance. Bolduan framed the segment around Trump’s repeated focus on the Michigan race even while campaigning in other states, underscoring how central El-Sayed’s candidacy has become to the president’s messaging.
Dingell’s call for unity and her warning about the consequences of divisive rhetoric are likely to resonate with those who feel targeted by such language, while supporters of the president may view her comments as partisan overreach.
As the election draws nearer, the clash between Trump and Dingell over El-Sayed is poised to remain a defining storyline in Michigan and beyond.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/10/14/dingell-trump-trying-to-put-a-target-on-people-of-different-faiths-backs/