CNN’s Manu Raju Confronts Tim Scott on Controversial El-Sayed Attack Ads: Are You Trying to Say, ‘Hint, Hint…He’s Muslim?’

CNN’s Manu Raju confronted Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) about using progressive Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s (D) full name in recent attack ads, asking if he was trying to emphasize that El-Sayed is Muslim.

Critics argue that the ad calling the candidate by his full birth name, Abdulrahman Mohamed Abdul El-Sayed, seemed to mirror Donald Trump’s tactic of repeatedly referring to former President Barack Obama as “Barack Hussein Obama.”

Scott is the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, with a goal of getting Republicans elected, like El-Sayed’s midterm opponent, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI). The NRSC, on Friday, put out the ad using El-Sayed’s full name.

During a Capitol Hill interview, Scott said El-Sayed was “making it easier” for a Republican to win in Michigan.

“Why? Because he is inconsistent with Michiganders of either side of the aisle, by the way,” Scott said. “Someone who wants to defund  police, defund ICE, who wants to abolish our concept of a border. He’s just wrong for Michigan.”

“And I saw your early attack ads against him. You’re using his full name in these attack ads, which has gotten some attention: Abdulrahman Mohamed Abdul El-Sayed. He goes by Abdul El-Sayed. Are you trying to say ‘hint, hint’ to voters, ‘He’s Muslim?'” Raju asked.

“Not at all. What we’re only saying to voters is a simple thing. He’s saying he’s the most dangerous candidate you can find. He’s right,” Scott said, looking straight at the camera. “We should trust his words, not ours. ”

“But, why not just use his name, Abdul El-Sayed, which he goes by?” Raju asked.

“Well, listen. I go by Timothy Eugene. And, so, I get called that all the time,” Scott said. “Here’s what I know without question: it’s about what he stands for. And we’re going to focus and bring attention to the fact that not only is he sympathetic for Hamas, not only does he run around with Hasan Piker — someone who said that Americans deserved 9/11 — he should be held account for exactly where he stands and what he’s for.”

The ad in question showed El-Sayed standing alongside controversial left-wing influencer Piker, with the voiceover saying, “Abdulrahman Mohamed Abdul El-Sayed, the most radical Senate candidate in America.”

It then cut to an edited clip of El-Sayed exclaiming, “I’m pretty damn dangerous!”

El-Sayed’s full quote was, “If you’re Chuck Schumer, I’m pretty damn dangerous.” El-Sayed has since clarified that he meant he’s “dangerous” to political establishments.

Watch the full clip above via CNN.

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