Tuberville: Abdul El-Sayed is a 'terrorist' who will 'destroy America'

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala, is alleging that Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is a "terrorist" and "radical Islamist."

El-Sayed, who is Muslim, defeated incumbent Rep. Haley Stevens in a primary Tuesday securing a major victory for progressives.

In a post on X, Tuberville criticized El-Sayed's victory because he "will do everything he can to destroy America."

Tuberville has frequently attacked "radical Islam" and made statements against Muslims and Muslim officials that critics have condemned as Islamophobic.

Tuberville previously reposted an image of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani next to an image of the 9/11 terror attacks saying, "the enemy is inside the gates."

Mamdani described the post and Tuberville's remarks as "bigotry" and "hatred."

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala, also rebuked El-Sayed's primary victory Wednesday morning claiming he was a "jihadist sympathizer" because of his positions on Iran and association with political streamer Hasan Piker, who has been clipped saying "America deserved 9/11."

"It tells me the Democratic socialists have taken over the Democratic party and we have to stand up to it and stand firmly," Britt said of El-Sayed's victory. "The future of our country is at stake."

El-Sayed's win comes after a contentious race that he says saw unprecedented spending against his candidacy.

"That's exactly why $70 million was spent against me in this race," El-Sayed said in a recent television appearance. "They see me as a threat of the system of politics that is making it way too hard on every day people."

The candidate has centered his campaign on Medicare for All and reducing corporate influence in government.

He has also been critical of American foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel and the influential, pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC.

El-Sayed will face former Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman, to fill the Michigan Senate seat.