Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers speaks as Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., Rep. John James, R-Mich., President Donald Trump and Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., listen at an event at the General Motors Proving Ground Monday, July 27, 2026, in Milford, Mich. … Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers speaks … more >

Trump lauds Rogers for hammering El-Sayed on Michigan debate stage

by · The Washington Times

President Trump commended Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers for his debate performance Thursday night against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, calling it an obliteration.

Mr. Rogers, a former congressman, and Mr. El-Sayed, former head of the Wayne County Health Department, slugged it out on the stage in Grand Rapids, trading barbs over Mr. Trump’s tariffs, the Iran war, affordability, trade, terrorism and support for Israel.

Mr. Trump described Mr. Rogers on social media as a “great American Patriot and Republican Candidate for the U.S. Senate from Michigan” who “completely obliterated Mohammed El-Sayed in the big debate tonight.”

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The president added, “If this was a fight, they would have stopped it. Mohammed is a Jihadist lunatic who hates our Country, the Black People of Detroit, and wants to see the U.S. fail.”

Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Mike Rogers, right, responds to Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed, during a televised debate at WOOD-TV, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, Pool) Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Mike … more >

Mr. Trump mocked Mr. El-Sayed as “Short on Stature, Patriotism, and Truth, Mohammed’s statements have been loaded up with lies and deceit.”

The president made sure to point out, “I won Michigan BIG, and know that Mike Rogers, a total winner, is the man for you!!!”

SEE ALSO: El-Sayed, Rogers trade personal and political punches in Michigan Senate debate

Mr. Trump, who has been traveling to competitive states and districts, told reporters recently that he plans to stop in Michigan soon.

He was last in Michigan in July, when he urged a crowd of about 3,000 people to vote for Republicans and highlighted his administration’s manufacturing policies.

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During the debate, Mr. Rogers cautioned that Mr. El-Sayed is a terrorist sympathizer, “a glitchy AI chatbot” and a “manufactured candidate.”

Mr. El-Sayed, meanwhile, accused Mr. Rogers of being a warmonger, a “sock puppet for the Trump administration” and a finger-in-the-wind politician.

Both candidates are expected to debate again on Oct. 21, this time in Detroit.

The election is Nov. 3.

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Kerry Picket

kpicket@washingtontimes.com

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