Within hours of securing the Democratic Senate nomination in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed was called a “terrorist” by one of his potential future colleagues, Sen. Tommy Tuberville.
“Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed is a RADICAL ISLAMIST who will do everything he can to destroy America,” the Alabama Republican posted.
Tuberville’s post wasn’t out of character, given his past rhetoric. It also fit squarely within a constellation of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab messaging that’s been cultivated by the political right with growing intensity over the past two years.
The Center for the Study of Organized Hate, a nonpartisan think tank, says anti-Muslim hate skyrocketed with El-Sayed’s primary win.
“The bigotry and hate we’re seeing right now being spewed online by politicians and influencers is something of staggering proportions,” said Raqib Naik, CSOH’s executive director.
In a recent analysis, CSOH found that between February 2025 and March 2026, 46 GOP elected officials published over 1,100 posts targeting Muslim Americans with bigotry and conspiracy theories.
While anti-Muslim attitudes have ebbed and flowed in the last 25 years, Naik said social media has drastically shifted the landscape.
“When you create and push these fear mongering claims, it generates clicks, likes, shares and followers, which does translate into publicity, revenue donations and greater influence.”