Laura Loomer's Muslim Brotherhood Lie Dogging Abdul El-Sayed 2026

The false claim that Abdul El-Sayed pledged support to the Muslim Brotherhood, first amplified by Laura Loomer eight years ago, is now central to the Michigan Senate race. A Guardian review of the evidence shows the claim misrepresents a 2012 open letter that never mentions the group.

Loomer, a self-described "proud Islamophobe" and influential outside adviser to Donald Trump, has repeatedly asserted that El-Sayed endorsed the Egyptian Islamist movement. The letter he signed, however, simply urged support for democracy in Egypt after the Arab Spring.

What the 2012 Letter Actually Said

The open letter was published in Arabic during Egypt's brief democratic opening. It was signed by prominent Egyptian Americans, including El-Sayed, and called for the United States to back Egypt's transition to democracy.

At no point does the text mention the Muslim Brotherhood or pledge allegiance to any group. Loomer's characterization of it as "a pledge" of support is factually incorrect, as the Guardian's review confirms.

Because the letter was only available in Arabic, it has been easy for political opponents to distort its contents. Most US political journalists cannot read Arabic and are unfamiliar with Egypt's short-lived democratic experiment, which ended in a 2013 military coup.

How the Lie Spread from Loomer to Rogers

Loomer first made the claim in 2018 when El-Sayed entered politics. She has repeated it ever since, gaining traction as an outside adviser to Trump.

In August, former congressman Mike Rogers, El-Sayed's Republican opponent, restated the false claim. Rogers said El-Sayed had "pledged his support to the Muslim Brotherhood," directly echoing Loomer's language.

The repetition by a mainstream candidate gave the lie new legitimacy. It also put pressure on journalists to fact-check a claim that had already been debunked but remained obscure due to the language barrier.

Why This Matters for the Michigan Senate Race

Michigan has a significant Arab American population, and El-Sayed, the Michigan-born son of Egyptian immigrants, is a prominent progressive voice. The false claim is designed to cast him as an Islamic extremist and alienate voters.

This tactic is not new. It reflects a broader pattern of using misinformation about Islam to attack Muslim candidates. The fact that it persists despite clear evidence shows how difficult it is to correct falsehoods once they enter the political bloodstream.

The stakes are high: the Senate race could determine control of Congress, and the lie threatens to distort the democratic process.

Key Takeaways

• The 2012 letter signed by El-Sayed does not mention the Muslim Brotherhood.
• Laura Loomer first promoted the false claim in 2018 and continues to do so.
• Mike Rogers repeated the claim in August, giving it mainstream visibility.
• The Arabic-only text has made fact-checking difficult for US journalists.
• The lie aims to portray El-Sayed as an extremist and influence voters.

Comparing the Claims and the Facts

The Role of Laura Loomer in Amplifying Misinformation

Loomer's influence has grown as she positions herself as a loyal Trump ally. Her willingness to spread false claims about Muslims is well-documented.

This episode is part of a pattern. Loomer has a history of making inflammatory statements that later get picked up by mainstream figures. The Michigan race is just the latest example.

Understanding how figures like Loomer operate is crucial. Their claims often start on the fringe but can quickly become talking points for candidates.

For a deeper look at how Loomer's rhetoric evolves, see how Laura Loomer reverses Ukraine stance after Kyiv visit. That shift shows her ability to adapt narratives to new political contexts.

What to Watch Next

El-Sayed's campaign will likely need to address the false claim directly. Meanwhile, journalists must navigate language barriers to fact-check similar accusations.

The broader implications for Trump's circle are significant. Loomer's proximity to Trump raises questions about the advice he receives. As reported in Laura Loomer's Ukraine about-face: impact on Trump policy, her shifts can influence policy discussions. The background to this story is set out in Abdul El-Sayed Embraces Trump's 'Very Different' America Claim. A related thread runs through Trump's Anti-Muslim Rhetoric Against Abdul El-Sayed Sparks Outrage.

Voters should pay attention to how candidates handle these claims. Silence or repetition can both be telling. The Michigan Senate race may become a test case for how misinformation is countered in 2024. Earlier coverage in Abdul El-Sayed Win Reshapes Michigan Senate Race for Democrats shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Abdul El-Sayed Clarifies 'Ogre' Remark Was About Fetterman.

For context on the political lying that surrounds such episodes, consider Trump press secretaries and the art of the political lie. It explains how falsehoods are normalized at the highest levels. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Laura Loomer's Sudden Ukraine Support Shocks MAGA Followers.