In a stunning election-night moment, Abdul El-Sayed used one word that brought a fresh twist to an already historic victory.
After defeating Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s closely watched Senate race, the Democrat took the stage in Detroit and turned his attention to Vice President JD Vance.
Abdul El-Sayed, 42, is set to become the first Muslim American elected to the United States Senate.
But amid the celebrations, he made sure to address two of his most prominent critics: Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump.
And when it came to Vance, he had just one word to get his point across.
“JD, habibi,” El-Sayed began.
The Arabic term of endearment, often translated as “my dear” or “my beloved,” was followed by a pointed reminder of what would happen when he officially takes office.
“There is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January,” he told the cheering crowd.
He then delivered the punchline: “So you know what that means, Wolverine one, Buckeye zero.”
The remark was a reference to the fierce rivalry between the University of Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes. Vance attended Ohio State, while El-Sayed has strong ties to Michigan.
On social media, people had mixed reactions. Some thought he came across as arrogant and said he was in for a rude awakening, while others loved his sense of humor and thought he was hilarious.
Trump had also been in his sights
Vance wasn’t the only prominent Republican to receive a message from the newly elected senator.
President Donald Trump had repeatedly targeted El-Sayed during the campaign, including mocking his name and making attacks centered on his Muslim faith.
El-Sayed addressed that directly in his victory speech.
“Donald, look, I know you struggled with my name, so after JD swears me in in January, you could just go on and call me senator.”
The comments came after a particularly bitter campaign in which El-Sayed faced attacks over his background, religion and political positions.
His Republican opponent, former congressman and FBI agent Mike Rogers, had received strong backing from Trump and national Republicans.
During the final stretch of the race, El-Sayed accused Republicans of running an especially ugly campaign.
“They went all in on one of the ugliest campaigns we’ve seen in our lifetimes,” he told supporters.
He argued that attacks on his name and faith were ultimately attempts to target a much broader group of Americans.
“They hate the idea of an America big enough for anyone who looks a little different, or prays a little different, or whose family comes from a different part of the world,” he said.
A historic breakthrough for American politics
Beyond the exchanges with Trump and Vance, El-Sayed’s victory represents a significant milestone.
The son of Egyptian immigrants, he is a 42-year-old former public health official who previously led health departments in Wayne County and Detroit.
He entered the political spotlight in 2018 with an unsuccessful run for governor of Michigan. This time, however, he managed to defeat Rogers and secure the state’s open Senate seat.
His campaign focused heavily on lowering costs for working families, expanding access to healthcare and reducing the influence of corporate money in politics.
His positions on Israel and the war in Gaza also became major issues during the campaign, drawing both support and criticism.
El-Sayed has rejected allegations linking him to the Muslim Brotherhood, which he has repeatedly denied being part of.
”I have never been a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, I never will be a member of the Muslim Brotherhood,” he told Fox News in October.
In his victory speech, he also pushed back against attempts to portray his support for Palestinian rights as hatred.
“If you believe in equal rights to peace, dignity and self-determination that’s not hate, it’s love,” he said.
For El-Sayed, the result was about more than winning a Senate seat.
It was also about the kind of country he believes America should be.
And with his historic victory secured, he made one thing clear: when January arrives, JD Vance will have a rather unusual role to play in welcoming him to the Senate.
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