Islamophobia Intensifies Ahead of US Midterm Elections
WASHINGTON – Muslim advocacy groups in the United States have warned of rising provocations and anti-Islamic rhetoric ahead of the midterm elections on 3 November 2026. They fear that campaigns of hatred against Muslims are being deliberately used to divert public attention from economic problems and the failures of President Donald Trump’s administration.
A new report by the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) raises concerns about growing provocations by anti-Muslim right-wing groups in the United States. Their actions often prompt calls for a greater law-enforcement presence. The study was conducted by the Center for Security, Technology, and Policy, an organisation that monitors Islamophobia across the country.
MPAC said it had documented a range of incidents, including protests outside mosques, aggressive confrontations, surveillance, provocative online content and narratives alleging an “Islamic takeover” of the United States. Several experts told Middle East Eye that the situation was “worse” than in the period following the 11 September attacks (9/11).
The report argues that such actions can intimidate Muslim communities, particularly when they take place before elections or during religious events and special celebrations.
US President Donald Trump and his allies have increasingly used anti-Muslim rhetoric, targeting progressive Muslim figures such as Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan.
MPAC describes a “co-ordinated campaign” in which a minority group is portrayed as a threat, followed by public confrontations staged by activists or media figures. Videos and various allegations are then circulated online to reinforce claims of criminal activity.
According to the report, these narratives are subsequently used to demand stricter immigration enforcement, increased policing and surveillance, or federal government intervention.
“As Muslim communities continue to be targeted by these right-wing provocateurs, this can contribute to a broader narrative of unrest – one that could be used by the Trump administration to justify extraordinary federal measures, such as declaring a national emergency,” MPAC warned.
“This is particularly concerning given that Trump has repeatedly questioned the integrity of US elections and claimed that American elections are vulnerable to foreign manipulation.”
The report urges Muslim Americans not to engage with provocateurs, to report suspicious activity, to understand their rights as voters, and to vote in groups rather than alone.
Most of the nine-page report consists of examples of right-wing groups targeting Muslims for intimidation.