Verification of the Claim
Yes, on November 23, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly vowed to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), effectively banning it under U.S. law.
This announcement came during an interview with Just the News, where Trump stated that “final documents are being drawn” and that the designation would be pursued “in the strongest and most powerful terms.” The move aligns with longstanding bipartisan efforts in Congress and recent state-level actions, such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s November 2025 declaration labeling the Muslim Brotherhood (and affiliated groups like CAIR) as terrorist entities, prohibiting land purchases, and enabling lawsuits to dismantle their operations.
Background and Context
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, is a transnational Islamist organization with affiliates worldwide. It has been banned as a terrorist group in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Russia, and Jordan due to accusations of promoting extremism, funding militias, and undermining secular governance. In the U.S., Trump attempted a similar designation during his first term (2017–2021), but it faced internal resistance and was not completed. Renewed momentum stems from:
- Bipartisan Legislation: A House bill (H.R. 1234) and Senate bill (S. 567), co-sponsored by figures like Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Fetterman (D-PA), would mandate the FTO label, enabling sanctions, asset freezes, and travel bans.
- Recent Triggers: Israel’s ongoing conflicts with Hamas (which has Brotherhood roots) and Hezbollah, plus a French government report on Brotherhood influence in Europe, have amplified calls for action.
- U.S. Precedents: The DHS recently deported a British journalist suspected of Brotherhood ties, signaling enforcement readiness.
If enacted, the FTO status would criminalize material support to the group, targeting its U.S.-based networks like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which critics link to Brotherhood ideology.
Reactions and Implications
- Support: Pro-Israel groups like ISGAP and AIPAC praised the move as a “serious” counter to ideological threats. Netanyahu reportedly thanked Trump, hinting at similar Israeli actions against Brotherhood-linked parties.
- Criticism: Some progressive voices and Muslim advocacy groups argue it risks stigmatizing legitimate political Islam and free speech, potentially echoing past overreaches like the post-9/11 Patriot Act.
- Global Ripple: Allies like Egypt and the UAE may expand cooperation, but Qatar (a Brotherhood funder) could face U.S. pressure, though Trump’s business ties there raise skepticism about full enforcement.
This development marks a significant escalation in Trump’s national security agenda, building on his first-term travel bans and “America First” rhetoric. For real-time updates, monitor official White House statements or congressional trackers.
Why is this so controversial?
Supporters say:
- The Brotherhood is the ideological parent of violent groups (Hamas, etc.), and that treating it like a terrorist network will help cut financing and support pipelines. New York Post+1
- Several countries (Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia) already list it as a terrorist organization, and they argue the U.S. is “catching up.” The Washington Institute+1
Critics say:
- The movement is globally fragmented, with some branches participating in elections and non-violent politics; a blanket designation could be overbroad and hard to justify under U.S. law. The Washington Institute
- A broad FTO label could criminalize ordinary association and advocacy, hit Muslim civil society groups in the U.S., and fuel Islamophobia rather than improve security. Human Rights Watch
- Lawyers point out that FTO designations can be challenged in U.S. courts if the evidentiary record is thin or politically driven. Brennan Center for Justice
Sources: Egypttoday.com , Midtown Tribune news