El-Sayed backs Trump's $4 billion cut in Israeli military aid

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States will end roughly $4 billion in annual military aid to Israel by the end of 2026. The new U.S. senator from Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed, welcomed the proposal.

El-Sayed, 42, defeated Republican Mike Rogers on Tuesday to become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. His victory helped Democrats reclaim control of Congress. The race was defined by disagreements over the war in Gaza and U.S. support for Israel.

Rogers, who received backing from Trump, attacked El-Sayed’s Muslim faith and his opposition to military aid. Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed defeated in the Democratic primary, endorsed Rogers days before the election amid a dispute over Israel. El-Sayed now shares a policy position with the president on this issue.

“I think the president is actually right on this policy,” El-Sayed told Morning Edition after his victory. He said he would also like to see the U.S. stop selling weaponry to Israel. He described those weapons as being used to do the worst things, including genocide and apartheid.

The U.S. currently provides Israel with $3.8 billion in annual military aid under an agreement that runs through 2028. Trump offered no details on how the cuts would work. El-Sayed’s argument extends beyond Israel. He questioned U.S. military support for Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Pakistan. He said American tax dollars should be spent at home.

El-Sayed’s victory did not erase all divisions within his party. Some Jewish and Black voters in Michigan expressed concerns about him before the election. NPR’s Michel Martin heard those concerns during a visit to the state. Asked if he still had work to do to win their support, El-Sayed said the election results challenged that narrative. He noted there is always more work to do and more conversations to have.