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Reel misidentifies Eurovision singer as US politician and distorts candidate's past?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @ariacker

The Reel's claim of alarming election outcomes relies on mistaking a Bulgarian Eurovision winner for a U.S. candidate and falsely framing a candidate's past as terror ties. Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's U.S. Senate race, and Aber Kawas won a New York Senate seat following debate over past 9/11 remarks. However, Dara is a Bulgarian singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest, not a U.S. politician. Furthermore, Adam Hamawy's 1994 medical volunteering predated any terror designation of the charity, and prosecutors noted his court testimony helped convict terrorist Omar Abdel-Rahman.

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The trick: Guilty by link

It tars someone with the views or acts of people linked to them (known as guilt by association).

“Adam Hamawi elected to Congress despite ties to Al-Qaeda and the man behind the ninety-three World Trade Center bombing.”

The Reel frames Hamawy's 1994 medical volunteering (years before any terror designation) and his trial testimony (which aided prosecutors) as dangerous ties to Al-Qaeda.

How this trick works and how to answer it →

What we checked

Dara Elisa gave a victory speech wearing a keffiyeh instead of an American flag.“Hundreds of ecstatic fans waving Bulgarian flags turned out at Sofia airport Sunday to give a triumphant welcome home to Dara, the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, after her surprise victory.”Bulgaria's Eurovision winner flies home to rapturous welcome - eNCA
A news headline states Democrat El-Sayed won the Michigan US Senate race and used the phrase 'inshallah'.“Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat, wins the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.”Michigan U.S. Senate 2026: Live Midterm Election Results, El-Sayed vs. Rogers - The New York Times
A survey cited onscreen indicates 57% (spoken as 60%) of Jewish early voters in Michigan voted for El-Sayed.“Data Snapshot - 57% of all Jewish early voters surveyed backed El-Sayed”2026 Survey of Michigan Voters – The Jewish Majority
Aber Kawas was elected to the New York State Senate despite saying 9/11 was America's fault due to capitalism, racism, and white supremacy.“The system of capitalism and racism and white supremacy et cetera – and Islamophobia – have all been used to colonize lands”Who is Aber Kawas? Palestinian-American activist who faced 9/11 remarks controversy wins Queens NY State Senate Democratic Primary - The Economic Times

What the Reel doesn't tell you

Short version

⚠️ MISLEADING 👉 A viral Reel misidentifies a Eurovision singer as a U.S. politician and falsely frames another candidate's past as terror ties. 👉 Singer Dara won Eurovision for Bulgaria, while doctor Adam Hamawy volunteered for a charity before it was designated a terror group and testified against Omar Abdel-Rahman. 🎭 Trick: Guilty by link 📰 Sources: Enca, The Daily Caller 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat

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