Full Breakdown
Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate Campaign Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Muslim Brotherhood Links
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Allegations and Denials
Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed for the U.S. Senate has repeatedly denied any personal or familial connection to the Muslim Brotherhood, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. On *Meet the Press*, El-Sayed told host Kristen Welker that neither he nor his family have ties to the Brotherhood. Opponents cite a series of personal, familial, and financial links that they say contradict his statements.
Background & Context
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, was banned after the 2013 crackdown led by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Mohamed Soltan, a 38-year-old American citizen, was imprisoned in Egypt on terrorism-related charges for alleged funding of the Brotherhood and support for former President Mohamed Morsi. Soltan’s father, Salah Soltan, is described in Egyptian media as a “prominent Muslim Brotherhood member” and was identified in 2011 as issuing a decree calling for the death of Israel’s ambassador and any “Zionist” entering Egypt.
El-Sayed’s 2021 Substack essay defended Soltan, referring to him as a “friend” and drawing parallels between U.S. police vaccine mandates and Egyptian political repression. The essay was later deleted.
Data & Statistics
- ACMER transferred $25,000 to the “Fighting for Michigan” super-PAC (June 12).
- ACMER Treasurer Muna Jondy contributed $15,000 to the super-PAC (June 7) and $7,000 directly to El-Sayed’s Senate committee (June 24).
- ACMER Executive Director Kristina Blyad gave $1,000 to El-Sayed’s committee (Feb 13).
- Mohamed Soltan contributed the federal maximum amount to El-Sayed’s campaign (April 15).
These contributions connect the campaign financially to an organization headed by Soltan, the son of a senior Brotherhood figure.
Timeline
- 2021 – El-Sayed publishes a Substack article defending Soltan.
- April 15 – Soltan contributes to El-Sayed’s campaign.
- June 7 – Muna Jondy contributes $15,000 to the “Fighting for Michigan” PAC.
- June 12 – ACMER transfers $25,000 to the same PAC.
- June 24 – Jondy contributes $7,000 directly to El-Sayed’s campaign.
- Feb 13 – Kristina Blyad gives $1,000 to the campaign.
- Oct 2026 – El-Sayed appears on *Meet the Press* and denies Brotherhood ties.
Criticism & Opposition
Republican opponent Mike Rogers has framed the alleged financial and personal connections as a national-security concern, urging Michigan voters to consider the source of El-Sayed’s campaign funds. The Washington Free Beacon has reported on El-Sayed’s Substack defense of Soltan, suggesting a pattern of association with Brotherhood-linked individuals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “But you don't even have to go back in time,” — Abdul El-Sayed
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
El-Sayed’s denial conflicts with social-media posts by his half-sister Eman Abdelhadi, who cited their mother’s 1970s activism in the organization. The campaign’s claim that the accusations are “debunked” lacks independent verification, leaving a gap between the candidate’s statements and documented family history. While the FEC confirms contributions from Soltan-linked entities, the impact of these funds on campaign policy remains unaddressed.