Guardian finds Trump ally’s Muslim Brotherhood claim about Michigan Senate candidate false

The Guardian reported that a false claim about Democrat Abdul El‑Sayed’s 2012 support for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood is being used in his Michigan Senate race. The allegation was first made by conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, described by the outlet as an influential outside adviser to Donald Trump who calls herself “a proud Islamophobe”. Loomer has said that an open letter El‑Sayed signed in 2012 supporting democracy in Egypt was a “pledge” to the Islamist group. The Guardian’s review of the letter found it does not mention the Muslim Brotherhood at all and does not constitute a pledge of support. The Republican campaign against El‑Sayed has framed him as an Islamic extremist based on Loomer’s claim. The article notes that the claim predates El‑Sayed’s entry into politics in 2018 and has been repeated in the current campaign despite the lack of evidence.

Why it matters

The false allegation is shaping the narrative of the Senate race, potentially influencing voter perception of the candidate.

Key details

Location

United States · Americas

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

29 Oct 2026, 17:43 IST

Key names

Laura Loomer, Abdul El-Sayed, Muslim Brotherhood’, Egypt

Section

Politics

Figure cited

Loomer, an influential outside adviser to Donald Trump who calls herself “a proud Islamophobe”, has claimed since El-Sayed entered politics in 2018 that an open letter he signed in support of democracy in Egypt in… (The Guardian)

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianHow Laura Loomer and Trump allies amplified ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ lie dogging Abdul El-Sayed 29 Oct, 17:43

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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