Abdul El-Sayed Addresses Controversial Topics During Debate After Mike Rogers' Absence

<p>Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed faced approximately one hour of questions on September 16, 2026, regarding his connections to streamer Hasan Piker, his stance on Israel, campaign financing, and his association with socialist groups. This occurred after his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, opted not to attend a scheduled debate in Detroit.</p><p>El-Sayed provided a clear condemnation of Piker's rhetoric and refrained from giving a direct answer on whether the U.S. should recognize Israel as a Jewish state. He also addressed inquiries about his relationship with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) during the debate moderated by Roop Raj.</p><p>Rogers declined the invitation to participate in the debate, citing concerns over Raj's perceived bias. Both campaigns were invited on August 5, 2026, following Michigan's primary, with El-Sayed accepting promptly and Rogers formally declining on the day of the debate.</p><p>During the debate, Raj asked El-Sayed if he could fully disavow Piker's offensive comments. El-Sayed responded affirmatively, specifically condemning Piker's remarks about Jewish Americans. He stated, "When Hasan made these comments about Jewish Americans and Jewish Michiganders, I disavowed them entirely."</p><p>El-Sayed elaborated that he disagrees with many of Piker's statements, including those regarding 9/11 and Jewish Americans, but defended his decision to engage with Piker, suggesting that dialogue does not equate to endorsement.</p><p>When questioned about U.S. recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, El-Sayed emphasized his belief in equal rights for both Palestinians and Jewish Israelis, stating, "I believe in equal rights to peace, dignity and self-determination for Palestinians and Jewish Israelis alike." He criticized the framing of the question, arguing it assumes agreement with the current status quo.</p><p>El-Sayed accused Rogers of attempting to shift the focus of the race to a "culture war" centered on his ethnicity and Muslim faith, particularly when asked about campaign contributions from individuals associated with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). His campaign reportedly received over $115,000 from individuals linked to CAIR, which has faced scrutiny over alleged ties to Hamas.</p><p>El-Sayed defended CAIR as a civil rights organization and accused Rogers of trying to make the election about his identity. He also criticized Rogers for his corporate campaign funding and questioned his attendance at American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) fundraisers.</p><p>El-Sayed stated, "I believe in an America that is big enough for all of us: Mike Rogers, Donald Trump, JD Vance. They believe that some people are more American than others."</p><p>In response to questions about his ties to the DSA, El-Sayed clarified that he is not a member of the organization but believes in welcoming its supporters into the Democratic Party. He has previously rejected the socialist label, describing himself as a capitalist and arguing against corporate consolidation as a threat to free markets.</p><p>The candidates are scheduled to meet again on October 8, 2026, in Grand Rapids and on October 21, 2026, in Detroit ahead of the general election.</p>