U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed holds a rally in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. July, 18, 2026. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook
Republican activists are running wild with a recently resurfaced quote from Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed — but he's hitting back over it.
El-Sayed, an Egyptian-American public health administrator and progressive activist nominated after a monthslong hard-fought primary, offhandedly commented during the 2020 documentary How To Fix A Primary, "I hate Mackinac so much. Every time I've ever come here, I've hated it. Why am I here?" while on a campaign stop at the famous Michigan tourist destination.
This triggered a MAGA meltdown, with far-right account End Wokeness taking to X to trash the Democratic nominee.
"Abdul El-Sayed hot mic: 'I hate Mackinac so much,'" wrote the account, including a video of the picturesque countryside on the island. "This is the most American place in MI."
El-Sayed noticed the jab and went online to punch back.
"Not sure about 'End Wokeness,' but I don’t think the most 'American place in MI' can be a place that ... bans cars," wrote El-Sayed, referencing the state's huge dependence on the auto industry.
El-Sayed is running for the seat being vacated by current Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. His Republican opponent, former Rep. Mike Rogers, has lost no time in firing up a campaign laden with Islamophobic dog whistles.
Report typos and corrections to corrections@rawstory.com.
For customer support contact support@rawstory.com.
