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Fact-Check Clears El-Sayed as Cruz Brotherhood Smear Fails

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Sen. Ted Cruz accused Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed of Muslim Brotherhood ties at a Michigan rally.
Fact-checks found no evidence that El-Sayed is a Muslim Brotherhood member.
CNN poll shows El-Sayed leading Republican Mike Rogers 49%-42%.
Cruz warned that granting El-Sayed top-level security clearance could risk national security.
El-Sayed called the accusations a bigoted anti-Muslim smear, denying Brotherhood ties.

History

After Republicans seized both chambers in the 104th Congress (Jan 3 1995-Jan 3 1997), the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by John McCain, operated amid heightened security concerns following the Oklahoma City bombing. Today, Judiciary member Senator Ted Cruz has revived similar claims against Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, prompting fresh Defense-panel scrutiny of his security clearance in the current election cycle.

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After Republicans seized both chambers in the 104th Congress (Jan 3 1995-Jan 3 1997), the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by John McCain, operated amid heightened security concerns following the Oklahoma City bombing. Today, Judiciary member Senator Ted Cruz has revived similar claims against Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed, prompting fresh Defense-panel scrutiny of his security clearance in the current election cycle.

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