Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed pushed back forcefully during a televised interview when NBC reporter Tom Llamas asked about his family’s connections to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The exchange, which quickly went viral, marked one of the first times a mainstream outlet pressed El-Sayed directly on the issue. When asked about his mother’s relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood, El-Sayed dismissed the question and pivoted to his Michigan roots.
“It’s funny to me. I was born in 1984 down the street in Rochester Hills. I was raised here in Michigan, went to the University of Michigan, rebuilt the health department in the city, led the health department in this county, and you want to ask me about what’s happening in Egypt in 1970? Are you serious?”
The Background
The Muslim Brotherhood is an Islamist organization that has been designated a terrorist group by several countries, including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. It is not designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States.
El-Sayed, a former Detroit health director and 2018 gubernatorial candidate, is running for the Democratic nomination for US Senate in Michigan. His campaign has focused on healthcare, economic inequality, and progressive policies.
The Ties
Townhall reported that “it’s not hard to find posts from El-Sayed and his family showing their ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.” The outlet did not provide specific evidence in the article beyond the exchange itself.
El-Sayed has not addressed the allegations in detail. His response focused on his Michigan upbringing and career rather than the specific question about his mother.
The Political Context
The exchange comes as El-Sayed campaigns in a competitive Democratic primary. Michigan is a key swing state, and the Senate race is expected to be one of the most closely watched in the country.
The question of family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood has been raised by conservative outlets but has not been a central issue in mainstream coverage until now.
The Bottom Line
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed clashed with NBC reporter Tom Llamas over questions about his family’s ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sayed dismissed the question, emphasizing his Michigan roots. The exchange marked a rare instance of a mainstream outlet pressing him on the issue. El-Sayed is running for the Democratic Senate nomination in Michigan.
My Opinion
Abdul El-Sayed was asked a direct question about his family’s ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. He did not answer it. Instead, he listed his credentials, invoked his Michigan roots, and asked the reporter if he was serious.
If the allegations are false, El-Sayed should say so clearly and provide the evidence to back it up. If they are true, he should explain what that means for his candidacy and his views. What he should not do is pretend the question is absurd. It is not absurd. The Muslim Brotherhood is designated as a terrorist organization by multiple US allies. Questions about family ties to such a group are legitimate, especially for someone seeking a US Senate seat.
