Democratic Senator Tapped as 'Moderate' Faces Backlash Over Staffer's Ties to Farrakhan

FIRST ON FOX: Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, who is being presented as a "moderate" Democrat and is set to deliver the official rebuttal to President Trump’s joint congressional address, is under scrutiny for employing a staffer with a controversial past tied to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

The staffer in question, Dr. Terra DeFoe, served as Slotkin's deputy political director during her campaign last year. DeFoe has faced criticism for a 2017 Facebook post in which she documented her attendance at the Nation of Islam's "Saviours' Day Convention" and shared a photo of herself with Farrakhan, referring to it as a "great time." Farrakhan, notorious for his inflammatory rhetoric, has made antisemitic remarks comparing Jews to termites and praising Adolf Hitler as a "great man."

In 2019, DeFoe invited Troy Muhammad, a representative of Farrakhan, to her talk show, where she described him as a "valued community leader in Detroit." The nine-minute interview did not address Farrakhan’s controversial statements. Fast forward to 2025, and DeFoe has been promoted to a regional director role within Slotkin's team, following significant financial support from the campaign during its run.

These developments have reignited backlash, particularly from Jewish activists. Liora Rez, executive director of StopAntisemitism, criticized Slotkin for keeping DeFoe on her staff, stating, "How can a Representative who enables this kind of extremism be considered a moderate? Rep. Slotkin’s silence needs to be addressed." Rez further questioned Slotkin’s ability to uphold American values if she can't address antisemitism within her own ranks.

Criticism has also emerged from the political arena. Tudor Dixon, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate in Michigan, accused Slotkin of maintaining a progressive agenda under the guise of moderation, citing policies like open borders and EV mandates as evidence. "No one will be fooled by Elissa Slotkin’s sudden ‘moderate’ rebrand," Dixon said.

Despite multiple inquiries from Fox News, neither Slotkin’s office nor DeFoe has responded to the allegations. With Slotkin poised to address the nation, the controversy surrounding her staff may cast a shadow over her remarks.