Story perspectives

Rebellion PAC’s Ad Sparks Antisemitism Backlash in Michigan Senate Race

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 3:57 PM UTC · How we work

Left

Terrorism Sympathy Accusation

Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed launched a TV ad on Fox News and Newsmax in Michigan, running through Election Day Nov. 3, 2026.
The ad highlights $180 million spending, showing how money buys airtime and draws hosts Jesse Watters and Tucker Carlson into campaign.
Two weeks before the election, El-Sayed polled slightly ahead of Republican Mike Rogers.
Republicans have linked El-Sayed to Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, accusing him of sympathizing with terrorists.

Right

ADL Condemns Ad

Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed aired a television ad on Fox News and Newsmax in Michigan on Nov. 3, 2026.
Critics including Rep. Haley Stevens and ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt condemned the ad as antisemitic fear-mongering.
Rebellion PAC, founded by Young Turks co-founder Cenk Uygur, produced the ad.
The ad shows a couple saying they must set aside $7 for “killing Palestinians” due to U.S. aid to Israel.

Blindspot

Republicans have attempted to link Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed with left-leaning Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, accusing him of sympathizing with terrorists.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The 2010 Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC, issued in 2010, overturned limits on corporate political spending. Following the ruling, Super PACs like the Senate Leadership Fund raised $1.5 billion for 2020 races, with the Federal Election Commission tracking 3,200 new political ads. In 2026, Abdul El-Sayed’s $180 million Fox News ad mirrors the Citizens United spending surge, drawing condemnation from Rep. Haley Stevens and ADL chief Jonathan Greenblatt. The pattern suggests that unchecked campaign financing will continue reshaping Michigan’s electoral landscape, prompting future legal challenges and reform debates.

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Terrorism Sympathy Accusation

Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed launched a TV ad on Fox News and Newsmax in Michigan, running through Election Day Nov. 3, 2026.
The ad highlights $180 million spending, showing how money buys airtime and draws hosts Jesse Watters and Tucker Carlson into campaign.
Two weeks before the election, El-Sayed polled slightly ahead of Republican Mike Rogers.
Republicans have linked El-Sayed to Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, accusing him of sympathizing with terrorists.

1 / 4