Mike Rogers Faces Scrutiny Over Past Muslim Brotherhood Engagement
Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers is under fire for past openness to the Muslim Brotherhood while continuing his critique of Democratic rival Abdul El-Sayed’s alleged ties to the group, as Michigan’s November 3 election nears.
During NBC’s Meet the Press, host Kristen Welker directly challenged Rogers about President Donald Trump’s allegations against El-Sayed. She questioned the evidence supporting these claims and highlighted Rogers’ 2012 endorsement of dialogue with certain Muslim Brotherhood members. Rogers sidestepped some questions, focusing instead on allegations about El-Sayed’s political associations, emphasizing the threat he believes the Muslim Brotherhood poses to U.S. interests.
These interactions occur amidst intensified attacks on El-Sayed for his supposed association with the organization, with Trump accusing him of endorsing the group. El-Sayed has consistently denied any links, rejecting insinuations that his background or beliefs cast doubt on his loyalty to the U.S.
The Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group started in Egypt in 1928, is variably regarded as a terrorist entity by different governments. The U.S. government, in January and March 2026, labeled branches in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Sudan as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Newsweek reached out to El-Sayed’s campaign for commentary.
Rogers Pressed Over Trump’s Allegations
Welker commenced the exchange by probing Rogers about Trump’s severe attack on El-Sayed, labeling him a “Muslim Brotherhood jihadist” with extreme views. Welker noted the absence of evidence for these claims and queried Rogers on his stance regarding the president’s language.
Rogers refrained from directly answering, pivoting to accusations that El-Sayed received funds from groups linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and Hezbollah. Welker countered, noting El-Sayed’s explicit denial of ties to the Brotherhood and his past public denouncement of the organization.
Welker further referenced a 2012 letter by El-Sayed endorsing Egyptian protests against former dictator Hosni Mubarak, suggesting that backing protesters differs from supporting the Brotherhood.
Attention shifted to Rogers’ past statements advocating engagement with moderate Brotherhood members. Welker cited his 2012 comment supporting dialogue with moderates within the group. Rogers avoided acknowledging his earlier position, accusing Welker of distorting facts. He justified his comments by highlighting Israel-Egypt intelligence cooperation threatened by the Brotherhood’s actions.
Rogers further criticized El-Sayed for allegedly misrepresenting familial ties, implying Welker defended the Democratic candidate.
Trump’s Characterization Questioned
Welker circled back to Trump’s statements, underlining that the president described El-Sayed as a jihadist without supportive evidence. She noted El-Sayed’s clear renouncement of the Brotherhood and queried Rogers on his agreement with Trump’s description.
Rogers avoided branding El-Sayed a terrorist, shifting focus to the candidate’s political alignments. He argued that the election symbolized a choice between his own security credentials and El-Sayed’s radical affiliations. Citing feedback from Jewish Democrats and African Americans, he asserted their belief that El-Sayed is too extreme.
The debate extends beyond the candidates, with Trump also targeting El-Sayed. His supporters argue the attacks exploit his faith and background, prominent issues in Michigan’s Senate race as Republicans strive to hold the chamber.
El-Sayed Counters With Humor
El-Sayed retaliated with humor, releasing an advertisement that satirizes Rogers’ alliance with Trump, depicting Rogers as overly eager to align with the president. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Matthew Robinson and Trevor Davies.