Dr. Abdul El Sayed Is Doing Something Historic That Corporate Media Is Ignoring
Despite an unprecedented level of attacks, he's on the cusp of making history—and corporate media turning a blind eye is a detriment to all of us
Every so often we get to see a politician who achieves the otherwise unimaginable. Who accomplishes something no one thought to accomplish, because they dreamt something no one thought was possible.
We saw it with Obama in 2008, winning the Democratic nomination over the sure bet of Hillary Clinton, and then winning the presidency.
We saw it with AOC in 2018 who organized so effectively that it left Joe Crowley’s head spinning, before winning in a historic upset.
We saw it with Mamdani in 2025 who began by polling at 1% and ended with a historic primary and general election win that left dozens of billionaires flabbergasted.
And we’re seeing it again with Dr. Abdul El Sayed in Michigan in 2026—only, corporate media is wholly missing the moment. Let’s Address This.
Attacks From The Right
Throughout the primary campaign Dr. Abdul El Sayed faced criticism on things unrelated to his policies. But as I share below, he’s overcome them successfully. Meanwhile, the attacks from the right have faced ungodly levels of abuse, and corporate media is either ignoring it, or is complicit in advancing it. Let me break it down by the numbers. A new study by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate found the following:
Anti-Muslim hate targeting El-Sayed jumped twentyfold after the primary. Posts naming him averaged 155 a day between June 1 and August 3. Between August 4 and 10 they averaged 3,099 a day, an increase of 1,895%.
Seven days produced more abuse than the preceding seven months. The 21,690 posts recorded between August 4 and 10 account for 56.7% of all 38,280 Islamophobic posts targeting El-Sayed since January 1.
Overall anti-Muslim bigotry on X (formerly Twitter) hit its highest single day of the summer on August 5, the day when El-Sayed was declared winner of the primary: 11,883 posts, 115% above the previous 30-day average and the highest daily figure recorded since June 1.
The surge has not subsided. Six days after the result, general anti-Muslim volume remains 59% above its pre-primary baseline, and daily abuse aimed at El-Sayed remains an order of magnitude above its June-July level.
Put yourself in Abdul’s shoes for a moment. You’re a husband and father, you’re running for Senate on a 100% people-funded platform, and you face more than 3,000 documented hate messages per day, every single day. The mental fortitude to block out the hate, much of which threatens your family, and stay focused on the mission at hand, must be commended. But even when you do that, the President of the United States himself personally attacks from his global platform.
And yet, Dr. Abdul El Sayed has maintained his calm, his integrity, and laser-like focus on fighting for working Michiganders. Perhaps this is also why his new attack from the left is so obscure.
Attacks From the Left
Surprisingly, Dr. Abdul El Sayed is also getting attacks from the left. Why? Because he accepted an endorsement from former VP Kamala Harris. The criticism alleges that because VP Harris and President Biden continued to arm Netanyahu, therefore, Dr. El Sayed should not accept her endorsement.
Let me be clear, as someone who was and remains deeply critical of the Biden administration for its catastrophic failures over Palestine: This particular criticism of Dr. Abdul El Sayed is short-sighted, illogical, and harmful.
In reality, Abdul has achieved something powerful and historic. He has received the endorsement of one of the most popular and influential Black leaders in contemporary America, and done so on his terms. I could agree with this criticism launched at him if, to earn the VP Harris endorsement, he changed his views on AIPAC, retracted his affirmation that Israel is committing genocide, or reversed his stance on reeling in out-of-control military spending. But far from changing his views, he’s doubled down and held firm to stop funding Israel. He’s made clear, as Dr. King reminded us, that he condemns the triple evils of militarism, racism, and poverty. He’s leaned in to his values, and in doing so, has expanded his coalition.
Far from criticism, this leadership should be commended. He’s advancing his campaign on his terms—not capitulating to other politicians. That is what true leadership looks like, and we are fortunate to see it happen in real time. So if you are among those on the left criticizing him for growing his coalition—just remember that this is the moment to get behind Abdul for growing the coalition without compromising his values and principles. That courage is what we expect of principled leaders, and that is what Dr. El Sayed is delivering.
Which leads to the third prong of his historic run—he’s united Michigan.
Uniting Michigan Despite It All
No one can deny it was a rough and, at times nasty, primary election. Senator McMorrow and Congresswoman Stevens both levied some significant personal attacks on Dr. Abdul El Sayed. Governor Whitmer endorsed Stevens over Abdul. And the establishment wing of the party was clear that Abdul was not their choice.
Yet, on election night as the race was called and the people had spoken in favor of Abdul, Senator McMorrow wasted no time and offered up her support. The following morning, Congresswoman Stevens and Governor Whitmer did the same. And since then, Rep Stevens has remained firm that as a Democrat, she is fully behind Abdul to win in November, and is calling on her supporters to vote for him.
Credit to Senator McMorrow, Rep Stevens, and Governor Whitmer. And credit to Dr. Abdul El Sayed for leading by example, leaving the past in the past, and staying focused on his mission of money out of politics, money in your pocket, and Medicare for All. His maturity to meaningfully embrace (figuratively and literally) his earlier opponents to continue to fight for Michiganders, and indeed all Americans, is commendable.
Moreover, he’s earned the endorsement of the Michigan Black Caucus, a pivotal partner necessary for him to win in November. Abdul has also earned the first-ever Senate endorsement from Jewish Voices for Peace, another historic achievement in its own right. He’s continued his outreach to Jewish Michiganders, making clear in powerful words that he views the safety of Jewish people through the same lens as he views the safety of his own daughters. This collective work must continue to ensure a November victory—and it will. And for now, one impact it has already had is a frightened Mike Rogers. And we need to talk about it.
Striking Fear Into Mike Rogers
Trump’s Florida neighbor decided to finally wake up and run for Senate in Michigan, again. No really, he literally owns a $1.7M mansion in Florida.
So frightened is Mike Rogers that he’s so far refused to accept a debate against Dr. Abdul El Sayed. The macho MAGA man is happy to generate AI pictures of himself to look muscular and in shape—but he’s too much of a manchild to step into the ring with Abdul. No, really, while Rogers’ campaign did not put out the image directly, it was put out by Rogers’ media firm, Convergence Media.
Mike Rogers has decided that his strategy will be to sit in his mansion in Florida, go on Fox News and friendly outlets to field softball questions, and insult Abdul. Or, Rogers will spread disinformation about Abdul’s ideas and values and beg for corporate money from the same exploitative healthcare corporations who have funded his political career. This is the epitome of cowardice.
Because the one thing Mike Rogers apparently won’t do is be an adult and hold a debate with Dr. Abdul El Sayed on the actual policies that matter—like how Rogers exacerbated the opioid epidemic, or how he supports data centers even as they decimate our environment, or how he defends a literal rapist in the White House who is all over the Epstein Files.
Abdul deserves all the credit in the world for striking the fear of accountability into Mike Rogers. Michigan voters should take note that in doing so, Abdul is demonstrating that he will not back down from a fight to protect working people. Again, this is what real leadership looks like.
Conclusion
Dr. Abdul El Sayed is leading a movement at a pivotal moment in American history. He faces horrific attacks and dehumanization from the right, short-sighted critiques from the left, and a frightened and back-footed Mike Rogers. Through it all he’s united the Democratic Party in Michigan, is strengthening bridges of trust, respect, and partnership with Michigan’s Jewish and Black communities, and remains firmly committed to his values of money out of politics, money in your pocket, and Medicare for All.
Corporate media is silent on this courageous fight because acknowledging it would mean conceding that Abdul is doing exactly what he’s promised to do his entire career—serve as a relentless fighter for working families.
As Americans, and for those of you reading this who are Michiganders, we have the opportunity to continue to raise our voice. Red and Blue, this is an opportunity to unite as working class people for Dr. Abdul El Sayed, and against a corporate funded elitist who is more worried about his tee time at a Florida golf course than addressing the opioid epidemic he enabled in Michigan.
We saw a similar moment in 2008, 2018, and 2025. Let’s make it happen again in 2026.
Qasim Rashid is a human rights attorney, author, and host of Let’s Address This—a platform dedicated to human rights, accountability, and the fight against the disinformation and hate that corporate media refuses to name. Subscribe, share, and let’s remain relentless in our mission for a more perfect Union.
By popular demand, you can now make a one-time contribution to support our human rights platform at any amount that fits your budget.
As someone who personally knows Dr. Abdul (my husband worked with him for over two years at Wayne County), I want to thank you for this excellent and true article about him. He is the real deal.
Old white guy here: Go, Abdul!