Full Breakdown
Abdul El-Sayed Defends Soros Connections While Vowing to Remove Corporate Money from Politics
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed was pressed by Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum about his relationship with billionaire donor George Soros and the source of campaign funding. In an interview with “The Story,” El-Sayed explained that individual donors, including the Soros family, differ from corporate contributors, and reiterated his pledge to keep corporations out of politics.
Background & Context
El-Sayed’s graduate education was partially funded by the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans, and he attended a Los Angeles fundraiser hosted by Jeffrey Soros, George Soros’s nephew. The campaign has also received a pledged $30 million from the Senate Majority PAC, which El-Sayed described as corporate-derived money. His opponent, Republican Mike Rogers, has been criticized for accepting corporate donations, a contrast El-Sayed highlighted while positioning himself as a “money-out-of-politics” candidate.
Official Statements & Responses
El-Sayed asserted that accepting support from wealthy individuals does not obligate him to “do the bidding of corporations.” He emphasized that he will not meet with corporate lobbyists and that his policy agenda aims to curb lobbyist influence on lawmakers. He also claimed that the groups backing his candidacy “won’t” seek legislative favors in return for their contributions.
Data & Statistics
- $30 million pledged by the Senate Majority PAC, described by El-Sayed as corporate money.
- Funding from the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships and a fundraiser hosted by Jeffrey Soros.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Do you know where that money comes from?” — Martha MacCallum
- “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…’” — The Michigan Democrat
- “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,” — Abdul El-Sayed
El-Sayed’s remarks come as former President Barack Obama is expected to appear on the campaign trail later this month, underscoring the Democratic push ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.