NewsFox News PoliticsMay 6, 2026United States
Senator Cornyn's Past Support for Islamic Relief USA Under Scrutiny
A review of public records shows Senator John Cornyn previously praised Islamic Relief USA, a charity whose parent organization, Islamic Relief Worldwide, has faced allegations of ties to extremist groups and antisemitism. The report highlights these past endorsements in the context of Cornyn's current primary election campaign.
Read the full story at Fox News PoliticsWhy It Matters
The report details past political endorsements of a charity that has been scrutinized by the U.S. State Department and international banking institutions over alleged links to terrorism and antisemitism, potentially impacting the ongoing Texas Senate primary race.
Key Facts
- The U.S. State Department cut ties with Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2021 citing concerns over antisemitism and praise of terrorists.
- Senator John Cornyn issued video messages and letters praising Islamic Relief USA in May 2021, 2022, and 2023.
- Islamic Relief USA officially severed ties with its parent organization, Islamic Relief Worldwide, in October 2025.
- Khaled Lamada, a former board chairman of Islamic Relief USA, allegedly posted social media content in 2014 praising Hamas and the 'Mujahidin of Egypt'.
- Islamic Relief Worldwide's entire board resigned in August 2020 following reports of antisemitic comments by senior leadership.
- Major financial institutions including HSBC and UBS ended relationships with Islamic Relief Worldwide between 2012 and 2016 due to terror financing concerns.
- Islamic Relief Worldwide denies all allegations of terror links and maintains it is a purely humanitarian organization.
- Islamic Relief USA provided tens of millions of dollars annually to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2021 and 2022.
- Other Republican lawmakers, including Ted Cruz and Chuck Grassley, have had interactions with Islamic Relief USA since 2022.
Who's Mentioned
personJohn Cornyn“U.S. Senator from Texas currently in a primary runoff election.”personKen Paxton“Texas Attorney General and primary opponent of John Cornyn.”organizationIslamic Relief Worldwide“The parent organization of Islamic Relief USA, which has faced allegations of te”personKhaled Lamada“Former chairman of Islamic Relief USA board.”organizationU.S. State Department“Government body that cut ties with Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2021.”organizationIslamic Relief USA“A humanitarian charity that severed ties with its parent organization in 2025.”