The only kicker? Tom Smith, a candidate with $2,000 raised and less than 100 followers on the Facebook page for his campaign, had WITHDRAWN from the race via a video on Facebook posted on July 15th due to what he perceived as not enough support to continue.
Hassan, a black, Navy veteran, and former Muslim turned Christian, who had disavowed the Muslim religion and was forced to post videos online explaining that he is "not an immigrant" and that his family "had been in the US for hundreds of years," was endorsed by both Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson. Trump had invited Hassan on stage at a rally on July 27th to endorse his candidacy. He was of course chosen as a token candidate meant to represent that minorities can disavow leftist extremism and join the righteous side
On a Trump Truth Social post endorsing the candidate, comments... such as this one by "JoniMarieforLiberty" said, ”“YOU ARE BEING MISLED, President Trump! This guy is a snake in the grass. Muslim and never voted for a republican in his whole life. Moved to Michigan last summer and immediately filed to run for office. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!” Another commenter named "Billie" wrote, “his name gives me pause. Call me racist, but I am merely being cautious. Obama comes to mind."
It didn't matter that Hassan's own campaign literature says Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior. The mob had already decided that a name and a former religion were enough to disqualify him.
Republicans in Michigan literally voted for a man on a ballot who had dropped out of the race because the name "Tom Smith" looked white and "Amir Hassan" looked Muslim.
Nice job.