A surge in Islamophobic rhetoric is marking the lead-up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, with prominent figures in the Republican Party intensifying attacks against Muslim candidates amid their growing electoral success. The wave of anti-Muslim sentiment appears to be the most concentrated in U.S. politics since the 9/11 attacks, coinciding with an unprecedented rise in Muslim officials winning office.

The intensified rhetoric was sparked by Abdul El-Sayed’s recent victory in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary. Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama responded by labelling El-Sayed a “terrorist” and “radical Islamist” who would seek to undermine the United States. Researchers tracking Islamophobia in the U.S. describe this as part of a broader pattern, with anti-Muslim narratives spreading rapidly in political discourse and social media.

Data from the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), which monitors anti-Muslim sentiment, shows a rise in Islamophobic attitudes among the general public, particularly among white and Hispanic Americans. The organization’s 2025 Islamophobia Index increased notably from previous years. Similarly, a Pew Research Center survey found that 51% of U.S. adults now believe Islam is more likely than other religions to encourage violence, a sharp increase from 25% shortly after 9/11. Partisan divides are also deepening, with 76% of likely Republican voters expressing this view compared to 29% of Democrats.

The number of Muslim officeholders has risen substantially in recent years. Currently, there are four Muslim members of Congress, with a fifth anticipated, compared to none in 2001. Ghazala Hashmi became Virginia’s first Muslim woman elected to statewide office as lieutenant governor in 2026. Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as New York's first Muslim mayor earlier this year, while El-Sayed’s primary win positions him potentially to become the first Muslim U.S. Senator.

Alongside Tuberville, other Republican leaders have launched personal attacks on Muslim politicians. Former President Donald Trump referred to El-Sayed as a “jihadist” from the Oval Office and suggested the election of “jihadists” was spreading. Senator Ted Cruz accused El-Sayed and Mamdani of wanting to impose Sharia law and harboring hatred toward Jews, Christians, capitalism, and America. Representative Nancy Mace went further, calling every Muslim in office a “Trojan horse” and a national security threat. Similarly, other Republican lawmakers have openly promoted Islamophobic views in public statements and social media.

Despite these high-profile statements, Republican party leadership has remained largely silent. Experts note the rhetoric is particularly crude and without restraint. Mobashra Tazamal, associate director of Georgetown University’s Bridge Initiative, described the discourse as unprecedented in its intensity and lack of boundaries.

The Islamophobic attacks extend beyond individual candidates to political initiatives as well. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has spearheaded campaigns against Islamic law, investigating Muslim religious facilities and opposing mosque-related development projects. Nationally, a “Sharia Free America Caucus” comprising 65 elected officials has promoted dozens of social media posts and legislation targeting perceived Islamic influence.

While anti-Sharia campaigns have been present since the early 2010s, researchers emphasize that the perceived threat is largely constructed and lacks foundation. Critics caution against conflating legitimate policy criticism with outright religious discrimination, though fact-checking shows many attacks lack substantive evidence and instead focus on Muslim identity.

Muslim politicians under fire have also faced scrutiny for past remarks or associations. El-Sayed apologized after controversial comments linking an attacker’s motives to Israeli airstrikes, and Mamdani has been criticized over his handling of certain phrases perceived as endorsing violence, though they have not disqualified these candidates in the eyes of voters.

Broader geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in Gaza and debates over Israel–Palestine, have added complexity to the discourse. Declining U.S. support for Israel among some demographics has contributed to heightened scrutiny of Muslim candidates’ positions, which critics have sometimes framed as security threats rather than political viewpoints.

This environment extends from post-9/11 security infrastructures such as surveillance programs and immigration enforcement that disproportionately target Muslim Americans. Experts argue these measures and the anti-Muslim climate now affect a wider range of communities beyond Muslims.

Analysts attribute the current spike in Islamophobic rhetoric in part to political strategy. With Republican approval ratings lowered by an unpopular war with Iran and economic challenges, some experts suggest the party is using anti-Muslim sentiment as a distraction from unmet policy goals.

As the midterm elections approach, it remains uncertain how effective this strategy will be. However, observers predict that Islamophobic rhetoric will continue to be a prominent feature of Republican campaigns, reflecting a persistent and deeply ingrained approach to political messaging.