Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont has voiced concerns over a small group of Democratic leaders and donors showing reluctance towards Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Speaking to Politico Playbook, Sanders mentioned that progressives could pose threats to wealthy interests and influence the party’s stance on Israel.
Sanders stated, “You’re talking about a small number of people who are at the head of the Democratic Party. You’re talking about the donor class… Are they less than enthusiastic about Abdul? Yes, they are.” Sanders is defending El-Sayed amid scrutiny over his association with far-left streamer Hasan Piker.
Democratic strategist and former Biden White House chief of staff Yemisi Egbewole disagreed with Sanders. Egbewole highlighted the party’s primary goal to secure the Senate and emphasized El-Sayed’s role in unifying Democrats after defeating Rep. Haley Stevens narrowly in the primary.
Egbewole remarked, “Dems want a majority in the Senate. El-Sayed apologized for his comments about the Temple Israel attack and hasn’t campaigned with Hasan. No one is as caught up in this oligarchy business as Sanders is. Stevens lost. She endorsed Abdul. It’s now his job to win those voters.”
In contrast, RNC National Press Secretary Natalie Baldassarre criticized Sanders’ backing of El-Sayed, labeling him unqualified for the Senate due to his associations and statements.
“Abdul El-Sayed is a terrorist bootlicker who downplayed 9/11, pals around with a radical streamer who thinks our country deserved it, and whose mother worked for an organization that funneled money to Osama bin Laden to orchestrate it,” Baldassarre stated.
Sanders attributed the resistance to El-Sayed’s candidacy to a small group of Democratic leaders and the party’s elite donor base.
Sanders, who supported El-Sayed throughout the primary, asserted that some Democrats view candidates like El-Sayed as challenges to both wealthy political interests and U.S. policies toward Israel. He said these Democrats see progressives as threats to oligarchic structures and American foreign policy, particularly U.S. support for the Netanyahu government in Israel.
This discussion arises as El-Sayed aims to move past renewed questions about Piker. Recently, Piker faced significant criticism for remarks about American Jews and Israel, leading to backlash from prominent Democrats such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senators Cory Booker and Jacky Rosen, and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin.
Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed for a comment, but he has not yet responded. Democratic strategist Egbewole suggested El-Sayed should focus on winning over Haley Stevens’ voters to help Democrats capture the Senate. El-Sayed attempts to reconcile with Jewish Democrats but insists on maintaining ties with Hasan Piker.
Sanders refrained from joining other Democrats in addressing Piker’s controversies, instead dismissing them and accusing Republicans and the media of diverting attention from key economic issues.
Sanders said, “Like every other podcaster in the world, he says dumb things that people should reject.”
El-Sayed likewise avoided questions about Piker during the Michigan Democratic Party convention. Four reporters queried him regarding the streamer, as his previous relationship with Piker during the primary was reported by Fox News Digital.
“We’re in the state of Michigan. If you want to make this race about a streamer in California, I just think you’re missing the boat,” El-Sayed commented. “This is about affordability in Michigan. This is about seeing a doctor in Michigan. This is about Donald Trump’s disastrous policies in Michigan. That’s what I’m focused on right now.”
El-Sayed apologized for comments following a terrorist attack on a Michigan synagogue, saying his remarks were misguided. He stated, “To anybody who feels like my comments may have been hurtful, I’m really sorry. That was not my intention.”
An August Fox News poll indicated Republican nominee Mike Rogers leads El-Sayed 51%-47%, within the poll’s margin of sampling error, while a subsequent AARP survey shows a close race. According to Fox polling, 91% of Democrats support El-Sayed, compared to 96% of Republicans backing Rogers.
Sanders urged El-Sayed to maintain focus on economic concerns over controversies related to Piker.
Sanders advised, “Stay on the issues that impact working families in Michigan. Do that, you’re going to win — and I think he will.”
CJ Womack is an associate editor at Fox News. CJ joined Fox News Digital’s team in 2026, underscoring journalism’s role in shaping politics and culture. With a background in news media analysis and reporting, CJ holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Journalism from Long Beach State University. News tips can be sent to [email protected], and CJ can be followed on Twitter.
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