By Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed denied Sunday that he or his family had ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, but resurfaced posts attributed to his half-sister describe relatives with a history of involvement in the Islamist organization.
During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, host Kristen Welker asked whether El-Sayed or any members of his family had connections to the Brotherhood. He answered “No” twice, rejecting an accusation Republican opponent Mike Rogers had raised during their Senate debate.
Here is Abdul El-Sayed's sister directly contradicting this answer:https://t.co/UfGLwrhUTc https://t.co/KWF6gRvOS6 pic.twitter.com/RGuWIqOWtr
— AG (@AGHamilton29) October 11, 2026
The Washington Free Beacon subsequently reported that Eman Abdelhadi, El-Sayed’s maternal half-sister and a University of Chicago assistant professor, had described family connections to the organization in social media posts from 2012 and 2013. The statements raise questions about the breadth of El-Sayed’s denial, although they do not establish that he personally belonged to or worked with the Brotherhood.
“My family has long been MB,” Abdelhadi wrote on June 24, 2012, according to the report. In a July 3, 2013, post, as Egypt’s military moved against Brotherhood-backed President Mohamed Morsi, she wrote, “I have had family jailed for being a part of it,” and urged relatives supporting the organization to “Lie low, stay safe.”
Another post described discussions with “#MB family in Egypt” that Abdelhadi said reflected support for individual liberties and a secular state. The Free Beacon acknowledged that it remained unclear which relatives she meant or whether El-Sayed had met them.
🚨🚨BREAKING: Abdul’s sister confirms what we’ve been saying: Abdul is lying to voters about his views and positions to get elected.
We can’t trust Abdul El-Sayed. He’s a liar who will say anything to anyone to get elected.
We deserve better. pic.twitter.com/LMVcqgNBUl
— Democrats For Mike Rogers (@DemsForMike) September 24, 2026
El-Sayed and Abdelhadi share a mother, Fatten Elkomy, but grew up in different households. El-Sayed was raised primarily by his father in Michigan, while Abdelhadi lived with their mother. El-Sayed has previously described visiting extended family in Egypt during childhood summers.
The Brotherhood controversy predates Sunday’s interview. As New Conservative Post previously reported, Ikhwan Online, a publication identifying itself as the organization’s official website, celebrated El-Sayed’s Democratic primary victory over Rep. Haley Stevens. Its coverage praised his opposition to unconditional American military assistance to Israel. That praise does not establish coordination with his campaign.
The same NCP report examined his father-in-law Tayeb Jukaku’s $200,000 contribution to a super PAC supporting El-Sayed and his involvement with the Islamic Society of North America. ISNA was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism-financing case, but was not convicted; that designation was not itself a criminal finding.
El-Sayed’s own writings have also drawn scrutiny. In 2012, he signed a statement urging Egypt’s Brotherhood-backed government to “purge the media and police.” Earlier commentary argued that a Brotherhood-influenced Egyptian government would not resemble Iran or Hamas, positions Republicans have revisited as they challenge his foreign-policy judgment.
Separately, in September it was reported that El-Sayed’s campaign against wealthy political interests was benefiting from substantial support from Senate Majority PAC and access to prominent Democratic fundraisers. The group’s Michigan commitment had reached $30 million, underscoring the national party’s investment in his candidacy.
El-Sayed has characterized the Brotherhood attacks as an effort to turn his Muslim faith into a campaign liability. His campaign did not immediately respond to the Free Beacon’s request for comment about his sister’s posts, according to the supplied report.
Founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood grew into an international Islamist movement seeking to organize society and government around Islamic teachings. Hamas emerged from its Palestinian branch in 1987. In January 2026, the Trump administration designated the Brotherhood’s Egyptian and Jordanian branches as Specially Designated Global Terrorists for providing material support to Hamas, while designating its Lebanese branch a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Treasury said Egyptian Brotherhood members had raised money for Hamas and helped move fighters into Gaza, documenting support that extended beyond ideological sympathy.
It was recently revealed by Senator James Lankford that Lebanon’s Islamist party was operating in Michigan.
👀👀@SenatorLankford said he confirmed with his staff that he heard this right: Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri told him that Berri’s Amal party, which allies with Hezbollah, has an extension of the party in Michigan that Berri just initiated. Berri did not elaborate.
— Mordechai Wagenheim (@Mike_Wagenheim) October 12, 2026
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