Conservative outlets are hammering Michigan's new Democratic Senate nominee over his religion and background rather than his policies — a negative story about how anti-Muslim attacks get a free pass in American media.

• Abdul El-Sayed narrowly won Michigan's Democratic Senate primary, and right-wing hosts responded by branding him a "radical Muslim," a jihadist, and a terrorist sympathizer.
• The attacks rely on false claims: he was born in Michigan, not Egypt, isn't an immigrant, isn't a socialist, and wasn't endorsed by the DSA.
• Figures at Newsmax, Fox News, and Rudy Giuliani mocked his name, called him a foreigner, and hinted he might impose Sharia law — none backing it with any policy he actually holds.
• Laura Loomer, who holds real sway over Trump administration hiring, spread baseless claims that mosques are stockpiling weapons, echoing rhetoric that has preceded past attacks on houses of worship.
• Despite the coverage, El-Sayed leads Republican Mike Rogers by a wide margin in early polling.

Outlook: Expect the identity-based attacks to intensify as the Michigan Senate race heads toward November, with El-Sayed currently favored.