With Election Day eight days away, political candidates and former presidents are intensifying their campaigns in battleground states, focusing on control of Congress and the economy. President Donald Trump campaigned in Mississippi and Michigan, while former President Barack Obama rallied Democratic voters in the Midwest. The final week has also seen legal challenges from the Department of Justice regarding election certification in Alaska and ballot reviews in California.
In the competitive Senate race in Michigan, President Trump attacked Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, linking him to the Muslim Brotherhood and questioning his national security stance. El-Sayed, who would be the first Muslim U.S. Senator if elected, dismissed the attacks as distractions from economic concerns. His Republican opponent, former Congressman Mike Rogers, defended the allegations, stating that El-Sayed is aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America.
What the Left Is Saying
Former President Barack Obama criticized the Trump administration's economic policies and foreign policy decisions during rallies in Michigan and Ohio. Obama argued that President Trump was responsible for rising costs due to what he described as an unnecessary war with Iran. The current president chose to make a series of bad decisions, Obama told supporters. He also mocked the administration's focus on renovations to federal buildings in Washington, D.C., noting the extensive use of gold decor.
Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed responded to President Trump's attacks on his faith and name by emphasizing his policy platform over personal insults. I don't care how he pronounces my name. I don't even care that he remembers my whole name, because he can just go on and call me senator after November, El-Sayed said. Voters at Democratic rallies cited education, healthcare, and general affordability as their primary concerns. Life is just hard for everybody right now, said Ohio resident Sharday Barnwell.
What the Right Is Saying
President Trump focused his campaign rhetoric on the Senate race in Michigan and the broader economic performance of his administration. In Georgia, Trump acknowledged high gas prices but emphasized national strength, stating, We're making a freaking fortune. Our country is getting stronger and stronger all the time. He also attacked El-Sayed's background, saying, I'm here to keep a jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member from becoming a United States senator.
Vice President J.D. Vance, campaigning in Montana, highlighted the administration's achievements over the past 18 months. As proud as I am of the last 18 months, we have done a lot, but there is still so much more that we can do together, Vance said. Republican candidate Mike Rogers defended his characterization of El-Sayed, stating he had never called El-Sayed a terrorist but noting the candidate's alignment with radical support groups.
What the Numbers Show
Nearly 30 million Americans have already cast early votes, including President Trump, who voted in Florida on Saturday. The Department of Justice has charged 48 noncitizens with illegally voting or registering to vote, bringing the total number of such charges since the start of Trump's second term to more than 200. This figure contrasts with the more than 230 million Americans registered to vote in the 2024 presidential election.
In Michigan, President Trump won by almost 23 points in the 2024 election. The Justice Department has filed a preemptive lawsuit against Alaska state election officials to block the certification of the election if the Democrat wins, citing potential voter confusion due to candidates with similar names. Additionally, the DOJ has asked California officials to review and set aside more than 20,000 ballots believed to have been sent to noncitizens. President Trump also announced on Truth Social that he would offer a million-dollar payout for anyone who turns over voter fraud evidence, provided the person is convicted.
The Bottom Line
The final week of campaigning is defined by intense battles over control of the Senate in states like Michigan, where the race between Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed is expected to be decisive. The administration's legal challenges in Alaska and California, along with new fraud charges, are likely to influence the post-election landscape and potential litigation. Voters remain divided on the primary issues, with Democrats emphasizing economic hardship and foreign policy, while Republicans highlight national strength and election integrity.