By The Daily Caller (U.S.) | Created at 2026-10-09 14:16:57 | Updated at 2026-10-10 16:49:36
1 day ago
Senate candidates Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed clashed during their first debate Thursday night in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with each trading barbs that grew increasingly personal.
The battle for Michigan’s Senate seat is among the nation’s most closely watched contests, with its outcome poised to shape control of the upper chamber after Democratic Sen. Gary Peters opted against seeking re-election. The debate touched on the Iran War, gas prices, President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Israel, and healthcare policy, but also included several heated, personal confrontations. (RELATED: Mike Rogers Changes Tune On Trump’s Tariffs As Election Approaches)
At one point, Rogers took a dig at El-Sayed’s biological mother by saying that she worked for “an organization that was indicted for funneling money to Al-Qaeda.”
Mike Rogers slams Abdul because his mom cashed checks for Bin Laden. Mike’s mom worked at the chamber of commerce, and Abdul’s mom worked for Al-Qaeda. https://t.co/FCgqDZ3ox5
— Great Lakes HQ (@GreatLakes_HQ) October 8, 2026“You go after my mom?” El-Sayed shot back as the two talked over each other.
“My mom worked at the local chamber of commerce,” Rogers replied.
El-Sayed’s biological mother, Fatten Elkomy, held a role at the Islamic American Relief Agency (IARA), a charity convicted of illegal overseas money transfers, though not of terrorism-linked offenses. The Department of Justice initially indicted the IARA for “engaging in prohibited financial transactions for the benefit of U.S.-designated terrorist Gulbuddin Hekmatyar” in 2008.
Rogers also alleged that El-Sayed aligns with the terrorist group Hamas, and said that his opponent neglected to “condemn a terrorist act that happened on our soil, in Michigan.” Rogers was referencing a March incident in which a terrorist attacked a preschool and synagogue near Detroit.
In August, El-Sayed said that Hamas has committed war crimes and also accused Israel of committing genocide. Despite condemning the March attack in Michigan, El-Sayed drew criticism after expressing sympathy for the gunman, Lebanese-born Ayman Muhammad Ghazali, stating that “hurt people hurt people.” He later apologized for the remark. (RELATED: GOP Candidates Suddenly Get Cold Feet On Iran War As Election Looms)
The candidates also attacked each other over real estate properties outside of Michigan.
El-Sayed suggested Rogers was a carpetbagger, alleging he holds a $2.7 million Florida home and “two yachts,” to which the Republican replied, “I never owned a yacht in Florida, brother.”
El-Sayed: Did you sell your yachts? Rogers: I never owned a yacht in Florida brother. El-Sayed: Oh really? Where was your yacht? You had two of them https://t.co/Prxpd8ou8d
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 9, 2026Media reports show that Rogers and his wife, Kristi, bought a Cape Coral, Florida, residence for roughly $1.6 million in 2022, later listing it for up to $2.8 million. Public records also reveal that a boat lift was installed on the property in 2025.
Rogers went after El-Sayed over international properties owned by his wife. Although Rogers stated that El-Sayed holds real estate in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, public disclosures from El-Sayed and his wife show that she owns two international rental properties located in Bangalore, India, and Dubai, UAE.
Mike Rogers: “Abdul El-Sayed owns 2 foreign properties. 1 in the UAE. Where’s the other one?” Abdul El-Sayed: *Nervous laughter and stutters* Mike Rogers: “Yeah that’s exactly right” https://t.co/nD5RKgIvPS
— DSA Watch (@DSA_Watch) October 8, 2026The candidates are scheduled to debate again Oct. 21. RealClearPolling’s average showed El-Sayed leading Rogers by 3.2 points as of Thursday.
