As Michigan Senate Race Heats Up, Vance Calls El-Sayed ‘Evil’ – BBC News
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As Michigan Senate race heats up, Vance calls El-Sayed ‘evil’
Image source: AFP via Getty Images
By Bernd Debusmann
White House Reporter
Published 1 September 2026, 16:44 BST
Updated 13 minutes ago
US Vice-President JD Vance has waded into Michigan’s bitter Senate race, labeling Democratic newcomer Abdul El-Sayed "evil" as he throws his support behind Trump ally Mike Rogers.
At an event to support Rogers, Vance also issued a direct warning to El-Sayed: "Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth," after the candidate appeared to suggest that Vance’s late grandfather wouldn’t accept Second Lady Usha Vance, who is Hindu.
El-Sayed retaliated later on Monday, criticizing the Trump administration for its policies and wars abroad.
Recent polls indicate a tight race between El-Sayed and Rogers in the crucial battleground state.
Addressing a rally for Rogers in a Detroit suburb on Monday night, Vance repeatedly attacked El-Sayed, describing him as a divisive figure with no interest in fostering community.
"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," said Vance, adding that he was working to "destroy" the country.
He further accused El-Sayed of associating with "terrorist sympathizers" and normalizing 9/11. During his primary, El-Sayed campaigned alongside controversial left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, who had previously expressed support for 9/11 conspiracy theories.
While El-Sayed distanced himself from Piker during his campaign, Vance repeatedly linked them together during his speech.
In a subsequent interview with CNN, El-Sayed fired back at Vance, criticizing his "evil" policies during the Trump administration:
"Evil is ripping healthcare away from working people in exchange for tax breaks for billionaires," said El-Sayed. "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 also clarified his earlier comments about the Vance family, stating that he was highlighting Vance’s belief in a political philosophy that discriminates against certain groups.
The Michigan Senate race is one of the most closely watched contests ahead of the midterms, taking place in a key swing state that President Joe Biden won in 2020 and former President Donald Trump secured in 2024.
