JD Vance called Abdul El-Sayed “evil” at a rally in Sterling Heights, Michigan, on Monday, sharpening the message in a Senate race that could help decide control of the chamber in November. El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee in Michigan and will face Mike Rogers in the election.
Sterling Heights rally
Vance told the crowd, “I realize that there’s something about Abdul El-Sayed that is very, very evil and on the rise in the United States of America today.” He also said, “Today, you have an opportunity to speak loudly, and in November you have an opportunity to speak much more loudly against the hatred that is on the rise in the United States of America. Reject Abdul El-Sayed.”
The event was put on by MAGA Inc., the super PAC closely aligned with Donald Trump. Vance’s appearance was the group’s first major midterm rally with him as a headliner, and the gathering was staged in a warehouse for a local electric services contractor and tree-trimming company.
March synagogue attack
Vance tied his attack to El-Sayed’s response after a March attack on a Michigan synagogue. El-Sayed posted a video after the attack saying that “hurt people hurt people,” then later apologized. He said last week, “My comments may have been misconstrued to justify something I did not mean to justify.”
Critics said El-Sayed’s comments were too sympathetic toward someone who violently targeted Jewish people. Vance used that episode as part of his argument that El-Sayed was linked to a broader pattern of tolerance for abuse.
El-Sayed also came under fire for his association with Hasan Piker, who said on a livestream that “America deserved 9/11.” Piker apologized for the remark. El-Sayed called it “dumb” this month on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” after winning the Democratic primary.
Mike Rogers in November
El-Sayed responded in a statement by criticizing Vance and Donald Trump. He said, “Evil is ripping healthcare away from working people in exchange for tax breaks for billionaires. Evil is making people pay more for groceries and gas while pushing for trade wars and actual war. Evil is dividing people for your own gain. Evil is selling out your morals for a little bit of power.”
He added, “Michigan is better than being lectured to by sock puppets from Ohio and Florida.” The Senate seat is open because Gary Peters is not seeking a third term, and the race will settle whether El-Sayed or Mike Rogers in the November can capture it.
At the rally, at least one person wore a red “VANCE 2028” baseball cap, while banners read “Protecting Americans.” MAGA Inc. recently spent to boost Trump-endorsed Darline Graham in South Carolina, but Monday’s appearance put Vance directly into the Michigan Senate fight.
