Full Breakdown
NBA Star Kyle Kuzma Criticizes Obama’s Religious-Identity Pitch in Michigan Senate Race
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
During a Democratic rally in Detroit, former President Barack Obama praised Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, highlighting their religious backgrounds—El-Sayed as Muslim and Slotkin as Jewish. Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma, a Flint, Michigan native, responded on X, calling the focus on religion “a desperate psyop” and arguing that Michigan voters care more about economic issues such as poverty. Kuzma’s post was published on October 25, 2026.
Background & Context
The rally supported the Democratic ticket in a tightly contested Michigan Senate race. El-Sayed, a Muslim candidate, is running against Republican Mike Rogers, while Slotkin, a Jewish Democrat, also appears on the ballot. The election is slated for November. A September Fox News poll showed El-Sayed holding a narrow lead over Rogers and identified cost of living as an “extremely important” issue for voters, alongside concerns about President Donald Trump, immigration, and U.S. policy toward Israel.
Data & Statistics
- Poverty: One-in-four Black Michiganders live below the poverty line, a figure Kuzma cited in his criticism.
- Poll results: The same Fox News poll indicated El-Sayed’s lead over Rogers was roughly one point, and that cost of living ranked among the top issues for voters.
Official Statements & Responses
Obama defended El-Sayed against attacks on his faith, noting that similar tactics had been used against him during his own political career. No public response from Obama or the Democratic campaign to Kuzma’s X post was recorded in the available sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This desperate pysop (sic) is unbearable to watch in Michigan. so tired of listening to it,” — Kyle Kuzma, an NBA champion — Kyle Kuzma, an NBA champion
