Abdul El-Sayed Addresses Soros Ties Amid Campaign Criticism

<p>Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed was questioned about his connections to billionaire Democratic donor George Soros after he criticized his Republican opponent Mike Rogers for accepting corporate donations.</p><p>"There's a big difference there," El-Sayed stated during an interview with Fox News on Monday.</p><p>El-Sayed’s graduate education was partially funded by the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, and George Soros’ nephew, Jeffrey Soros, hosted a fundraiser for El-Sayed in Los Angeles last month, according to footage reviewed by Fox News Digital.</p><p>While campaigning on a pledge to remove money from politics, El-Sayed was asked by anchor Martha MacCallum whether his ties to wealthy donors contradict that message.</p><p>"When individuals want to give to my campaign, I welcome their support," he said, defending his relationship with the Soros family.</p><p>El-Sayed emphasized that he does not solicit corporate donations, stating, "You know what I don't do? I don't call corporations. I don't call AIPAC… Individuals who want to support a campaign, that's different."</p><p>The Soros family has contributed millions to political committees supporting El-Sayed’s Senate campaign.</p><p>El-Sayed argued that "corporations shouldn’t buy politicians," claiming that accepting funds from wealthy individuals is distinct from corporate money. He explained, "Here's the difference. When you take their money and then you're ... in a position to govern on their issues, [and] guess what happens? You turn a blind eye. You vote 19 times to keep prescription drug prices high."</p><p>El-Sayed was also questioned about the $30 million pledged by the Senate Majority PAC to support his election. MacCallum asked, "Do you know where that money comes from? It comes from corporations… you don't think that those interests, those people are going to circle back around to you in Washington and say, 'So, senator, we gave this much money…'?"</p><p>El-Sayed maintained that the groups backing his candidacy "won’t" seek favors in return. He stated, "They won't, because I've been very, very clear that I am not interested in doing the bidding of corporations. I will not sit down with a corporate lobbyist."</p><p>He reiterated his commitment to reducing corporate influence in politics, asserting, "We need to get the corporations out, and right now, corporations are buying politicians at a record clip."</p><p>El-Sayed highlighted the issue of corporate funding in politics, saying, "In my primary and in the general election, the same corporations are funding politicians. And this is the problem. Both sides of the aisle funded by exactly the same corporation – that's what I want to end."</p><p>He concluded, "I don't think they should be able to buy any of us. And that's exactly what I want to end. So, when I say money out of politics, I intend fully to get corporate money out of politics."</p><p>El-Sayed's comments come as former President Barack Obama is expected to join him on the campaign trail in Michigan later this month as Democrats prepare for the midterm elections.</p><p>Additionally, El-Sayed stated in the interview that Iran’s nuclear threat had been contained before former President Donald Trump’s actions and clarified that he does not intend to "choke out" billionaires.</p>