President Donald Trump spoke at a campaign rally at the Heartland Credit Union Arena on Monday, Oct. 19, to support the re-election campaign of Republican Senator Roger Marshall. During the speech, Trump commented on several Democratic political figures and linked federal policy decisions on ethanol and trade to the outcome of the Kansas Senate race.
A portion of Trump’s remarks focused on Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, as well as Representatives Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. Speaking about El-Sayed, Trump referred to the candidate by his middle name.
“Democrats are the party of Abdul Mohammad El-Sayed,” Trump said to the audience. He commented on his use of the name, stating, “You know, he got very upset because I called him Mohammad. I just felt like it. Somebody said, ’How did you do that?’ I said, ’I’m the president, I can call him whatever the hell I want.’”
Trump also stated that El-Sayed and his sister are members of the Muslim Brotherhood.
On domestic policy, Trump tied the permanent implementation of year-round sales of E15 gasoline, a fuel blend containing 15% ethanol, to the election results.
“I also gave Kansas a waiver to sell E15 all year round,” Trump said. “And with Roger Marshall in the Senate, we will make year round E15 permanent. But if Adam Hamilton is in, I’m not doing it. That’s it. I’m only doing it for him.”
Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency restricts the sale of E15 during summer months in certain areas due to concerns about smog, though waivers can be issued.
Additionally, Trump addressed trade tariffs concerning the Canadian jet manufacturer Bombardier, which employs approximately 1,500 people in Wichita. He suggested he would reconsider his stance on tariffs impacting the company.
“Because of Roger and his phone call, I’m going to be helping a certain air company get themselves straight in a way,” Trump said. “I always viewed them as a Canadian company… But now I find out they have a presence here, and we’re not hurting them if they’re in Kansas. So we’ll take care of those people.”
The rally was briefly interrupted at the beginning of Trump’s speech by protesters, who were then escorted from the venue. The event was one of several rallies Trump has scheduled across the country ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
