Trump-endorsed ex-Muslim Republican loses Michigan primary 'due to Arabic name'

Amir Hassan, the Trump-endorsed Congressional candidate for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District GOP primary, may have lost the primary vote this week due to voters believing he was Muslim.

The candidate, who is a former army veteran, said throughout his campaign that he had converted from Islam to Christianity, but this did not convince some Republican voters.

On his campaign website, Hassan, who is African-American, stated that he "recently reaffirmed his commitment to Christ" and stated that "Jesus Christ is his Lord and Saviour".

But despite this, his candidacy received backlash from right-wing Americans from Trump’s MAGA fanbase.

Late last month, after Trump announced his endorsement on his Truth Social social media page, several users replied with comments saying they wanted "no Muslims" in office. One questioned Hassan’s loyalty to the US, while one questioned Trump’s choice, saying he had "lost his mind" with his endorsement, and that there were “enough Muslims” in government.

The user also wrote: "Between taxes and Islam, I’ll take taxes. Once Muslims get power, if you are non-Muslim and they don’t kill you first, you also have to pay a special tax to live in their countries."

In his post, Trump said: "It is my Great Honor to endorse Amir Hassan, who is running to represent the fantastic people of Michigan’s 8th Congressional District!” Amir will work hard to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Great Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. Amir Hassan has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Michigan’s 8th Congressional District — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!"

Hassan, a former federal law enforcement officer who had previously served in the Navy, lost his campaign to Thomas J. Smith, a small business owner who withdrew from the election a month ago and had spent no money on the campaign.

Smith won by 50% of the vote, compared to Hassan’s 33%.

Hassan was defeated despite Trump’s joining of a rally in Michigan, which was also attended by the likes of Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who also voiced support.

Smith will now revive his campaign to face Democratic Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet, who has faced the brunt of Trump’s social media attacks.

Islamophobic rhetoric also appeared in response to another campaign --  Abdul El-Sayed’s successful run for Democratic Senate nominee in Michigan.

El-Sayed, an epidemiologist born and raised in Michigan to Egyptian American parents, won the vote by a margin of just under 1% to defeat Haley Stevens, who had formerly worked with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on their presidential campaigns.

Stevens was heavily backed and endorsed by AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby group, which spent at least $30 million in advertising for her.

During the campaign, El-Sayed positioned himself as a staunch critic of Israel due to its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 73,000 Palestinians, and as an opponent of US military aid to foreign countries. He has also criticised ICE, and is an advocate for Medicare for All.

Due to his Muslim and Egyptian background, however, El-Sayed was subjected to a barrage of Islamophobic comments.

The politician was labelled a "terrorist," a "jihadist," and a "radical" in language clearly motivated by hostility towards his faith.

Additionally, Mike Rogers, El-Sayed’s Republican rival, said on Wednesday that Michigan "must be saved" and that he had spent his life “hunting terrorists", in an apparent jab at El Sayed.

El-Sayed was also the target of AI-generated images showing him and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar wearing vests strapped with explosives and green headbands to signify Hamas.

The Michigan Republican Party also referred to him as a "terrorist sympathiser" following his win earlier this week.

El-Sayed has since hit back, saying that attacking him based on his faith and name is "the only play they got".

"My name is not raising your gas prices. My name is not taking us to war. My name is not the reason you can’t afford your groceries."

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