The Bulwark's Sam Stein said it was "subtle stuff from the NRSC" when, after Abdul El-Sayed's primary win, they put out a press release using his full name, Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed. It obviously got under El-Sayed's skin, who told his opponent, "If you can't say the name Abdulrahman, keep the name out of your damn mouth! I'll be happy to give you lessons!" In a later speech, he tried on this zinger:
Rogers is a very fitting name for Mike. Because that's his answer every time a corporation or Donald Trump tells him to do something.
— Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) August 8, 2026
"Roger!" pic.twitter.com/HCmdjxeAos
CNN's Manu Raju asked NRSC chairman Tim Scott if the use of El-Sayed's full name was Scott's way of saying, "Hint, hint, he's Muslim"? Scott didn't take the bait.
🚨 JUST IN: CNN is melting down over the GOP using Abdulrahman Mohamed El Sayed's full name, worrying Michigan voters will see he's a Muslim
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 9, 2026
CNN: Your ad uses his FULL name. He goes by Abdul El Sayed. Are you saying, hint hint, he's Muslim?!
TIM SCOTT: We're saying he says he's… pic.twitter.com/D1PwSNLPqv
The post continues:
… the most dangerous candidate you can find. He's right.
CNN: Why not just use his name? Abdul El Sayed? Which he goes by!
SCOTT: Listen, I go by Timothy Eugene. I get called that all the time. It's about what he stands for.
LMAO! I'll say it: YES, use his full name so voters see he's an Islamist!
Mike Rogers is the way forward for America, not Abdulrahman Mohamed El Sayed
CNN: "Your ad uses his FULL name. He goes by Abdul El Sayed. Are you saying, hint hint, he's Muslim"?!
— RedPilledExLiberal (@RedPilled1788) August 9, 2026
ME: What are you saying? He's embarrassed to be a Muslim? Why wouldn't he want voters to know he's a Muslim? What is it about being a Muslim he's embarrassed about?
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I’m pretty sure I saw his speech where he said to use his full correct name or keep it out of your mouth. So.. isn’t that what he wants?
— MCrew (@baseball_mama13) August 9, 2026
Isn’t this the guy that cussed out all of America for “not saying my name right” and then proceeded to use his full name?
— David (@vadeansonder) August 9, 2026
Ridiculous
Abdulrahman Mohamed El Sayed is what he wants, Abdulrahman Mohamed El Sayed is what he is.
Scott should've just retorted: "What's wrong with his first name?! What's wrong with saying he's a Muslim?!"
— Trevor Thomas (@TrevorGThomas) August 9, 2026
They did this same bullshit with Barack Hussein Obama.
— Gidge (@BridgetteDM) August 9, 2026
Yes because Abdul El Sayed sounds like a good Irish Catholic name, not Muslim at all.
— Just James (@InfectiousMasc1) August 9, 2026
Yeah, we don't get it. The name Abdul El-Sayed pretty much gives away that he's a Muslim. It's not a secret.
Or they can just look at him and listen to the things he says to understand he is Muslim…….
— PK (@KottenState) August 10, 2026
What’s wrong with him being Muslim? CNN is clearly racist.
— Freedom Rider (@Freedom_rider22) August 9, 2026
Is there some reason he'd want to hide from the voters that he's a Muslim? What have Muslims ever done?
The question should be, why doesn't CNN want his full named used?
— CAT (@CAT64691956) August 9, 2026
I'm confused.
— Bandit (@Fox3forDale) August 9, 2026
Is there some reason voters might view a Muslim-sounding name as a bad thing?
The absolute condescending smirk on the newscaster's face just did it for me. He thinks he's got a gotcha moment.
— Cyndi Lovejoy (@CyndiLovejoy) August 9, 2026
He really did. Hint, hint, everyone knows he's a Muslim, full name or not. CNN should ask what that might be a problem with voters.
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