Full Breakdown
JD Vance Labels Michigan Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed “Very, Very Evil”
9/2/2026, 2:04:13 AM
The Rally and the Accusations
At a rally in Sterling Heights hosted by a pro-Trump super PAC, Vice President JD Vance denounced Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed as “very, very evil.” Vance warned the crowd to keep El-Sayed’s spouse out of the conversation, saying the candidate’s remarks about his wife were “out of your league.” He also linked El-Sayed to far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, suggesting the Democrat’s associations reflect a broader pattern of identity-based politics that, in Vance’s view, threatens national unity.
Background to the Contest
El-Sayed, a public-health official and the first Muslim candidate who could become a U.S. senator, secured the Democratic nomination after a bruising primary against pro-Israel congresswoman Haley Stevens. After a March attack on Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, El-Sayed apologized for an earlier “hurt people hurt people” comment and condemned the antisemitic violence.
During the campaign, El-Sayed posted on X about Vance’s late grandfather, questioning whether the vice president’s wife Usha Vance—an Indian-American Hindu—would be accepted. The exchange has become a focal point of the race.
Polling Snapshot
A survey by Michigan firm Epic-MRA shows El-Sayed holding a narrow four-point lead over Republican nominee Mike Rogers, a former law-enforcement officer. The race is viewed as pivotal for control of the U.S. Senate, where Republicans currently hold a 53-47 advantage.
Official Statements & Responses
Vance urged voters to reject El-Sayed and support Rogers, framing the contest as a choice between inclusive governance and identity-driven politics.
El-Sayed responded by redirecting the “evil” label toward Trump-era policies, citing cuts to healthcare, tax breaks for billionaires, higher grocery and gas prices, trade wars, and political division. He reiterated his apology for the “hurt people hurt people” comment and emphasized outreach to Michigan’s Jewish Democratic caucus after the synagogue attack.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There’s something about Abdul El-Sayed that is very, very evil. And on the rise in the United States of America today.” — JD Vance, Vice President
- “Evil is ripping healthcare away from working people in exchange for tax breaks for billionaires.” — Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic Senate nominee
- “Whatever you want to talk about, Abdul, keep my wife’s name the hell out of your mouth because she’s way out of your league,” — Usha Vance, Second Lady
- “I’d rather not talk about spouses at all,” — Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic Senate nominee
What’s Next
The campaign will continue through the fall, with additional rallies and voter-outreach events as the race tightens. The November Senate election will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate.
