Leaked Audio Sparks Firestorm Over Michigan Senate Candidate El-Sayed's Campaign Strategy on Iran, Israel
By Michigan Capitol Staff
Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed is facing a mounting backlash after leaked audio recordings captured the candidate telling his communications team he should avoid commenting on the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei because "there are a lot of people in Dearborn who are sad" about the killing.
The revelations, obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, paint a picture of a campaign struggling to navigate the complex intersection of foreign policy, domestic politics, and Michigan's diverse electorate during a highly charged moment in the Middle East.
The Khamenei Question
The audio from a private campaign strategy call, dated March 1, 2026, shows El-Sayed explaining his approach to questions about Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. and Israeli military campaign in Iran that resulted in Khamenei's death during an airstrike on February 28.
According to the recordings:
"I'm just gonna go straight to pedophilia, frankly," El-Sayed is heard saying about his response if pressed by a reporter. "I'll just be like, 'Pedophile president decides that he doesn't like the front page news, so he decides to take us into another war.'"
El-Sayed also told his team, "I also want to remind you guys that there are a lot of people in Dearborn who are sad today. So, like, I just don't want to comment on Khamenei at all. Like, I don't think it's worth even touching that."
The strategy session came at a pivotal moment. The previous day, President Trump announced that the Iranian regime had been "neutralized" after Khamenei's death, a statement that has dominated headlines across the political spectrum.
A Campaign Built on Opposition to Israel
El-Sayed's stance on Iran has been a cornerstone of his candidacy, positioning him as the most left-wing of the three major Democratic candidates vying for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat. The race is considered competitive by political analysts and will likely determine whether Democrats can regain control of the Senate, which Republicans currently hold 53-45.
El-Sayed has made his opposition to Israel and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East central to his message, frequently criticizing the influence of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington politics. During the campaign, he has accused lawmakers of being tools of both AIPAC and Israel, arguing that "you've got AIPAC-backed congress people who now don't want to empower Congress to stand up and enforce its own prerogative."
The Dearborn Connection
Dearborn, Michigan, has the largest Muslim population per capita of any city in the country and became the nation's first Arab-majority city in 2023. Though heavily Democratic, Dearborn gave a plurality of its 2024 vote to President Trump, highlighting the complex political landscape of Michigan's eighth-largest city.
El-Sayed's concern about Dearborn voters appears rooted in the city's unique political dynamics. The city's mayor, Abdullah Hammoud, has taken controversial positions on Israel, calling for its "destruction" and falsely accusing the Jewish state of bombing Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza.
The leaked audio suggests El-Sayed is walking a tightrope between his progressive credentials and the practical realities of Michigan's diverse electorate. His campaign has faced criticism from fellow Democrats for his approach, particularly his willingness to partner with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker at campaign events.
Campaign Partners and Controversies
El-Sayed's campaign has attracted both praise and criticism for its unconventional approach. The candidate invited Hasan Piker, a popular Twitch streamer known for inflammatory statements about the September 11 attacks and the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, to campaign with him.
Piker has described himself as anti-Zionist but not antisemitic. He has said the United States "deserved" the September 11 terrorist attacks (later apologizing) and has made comments about the October 7 Hamas attacks that have drawn condemnation from many quarters.
El-Sayed's Democratic primary rivals — U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Birmingham and State Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak — have criticized the partnership, with Stevens' campaign noting that Piker's rhetoric "doesn't align with what Michigan voters want to hear from a U.S. Senate candidate."
The Free Beacon's Legal Response
When the Free Beacon reported on the leaked audio, El-Sayed's campaign responded with a strongly worded letter from their lawyers at the Sandler Reiff law firm in Washington, D.C.
"I write to inform you that the audio recording that you base the below questions on was obtained without the campaign's permission, and without knowledge that individuals were being recorded," wrote David Mitrani, a partner at the firm. "The campaign is considering its legal options against the individual in question. Given these circumstances, the campaign expects that you will take this into account in determining whether to proceed with any reporting on this matter."
Despite the legal threats, the Free Beacon published the full audio and details of the conversation, which quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Campaign Response
El-Sayed has not directly addressed the leaked audio in recent days, though his campaign has continued to focus on other aspects of the race. The candidate is scheduled to appear at rallies at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University on April 7, both featuring Hasan Piker.
When pressed for comment on the controversy, El-Sayed's team released a brief statement emphasizing that the campaign remains focused on the important work of advocating for Michigan families and workers.
"I'm not going to apologize for every single video that people put up there — that Hasan said this, or Hasan that said that. Because judge me by what I say," El-Sayed told supporters at a recent event.
The Broader Senate Race Context
The Michigan U.S. Senate race has emerged as one of the most competitive and consequential races of the 2026 midterm elections. El-Sayed, McMorrow, and Stevens are all declared candidates who will face off in the August 4 primary election.
On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Livingston County has declared his candidacy for the seat, receiving endorsements from Senate Majority Leader John Thune and NRSC Chairman Tim Scott.
The race will determine whether Democrats can maintain their Senate majority, which they lost in 2024 when Elissa Slotkin narrowly defeated Mike Rogers by just 0.3 percentage points. The outcome could have significant implications for the balance of power in Washington and the ability to pass legislation on domestic policy, healthcare, and more.
What's at Stake
With the filing deadline for the Michigan Senate race set for April 21, 2026, and the August 4 primary approaching, the El-Sayed campaign faces the challenge of navigating multiple controversies while building momentum in a crowded field.
El-Sayed's approach to the Khamenei question highlights the difficult positioning required for candidates in Michigan's diverse political landscape. The candidate's willingness to prioritize certain constituencies over others has drawn criticism from some quarters, particularly those who view his approach as inconsistent with his stated progressive values.
As the campaign moves forward, El-Sayed and his team will need to decide whether to address the controversy directly or let it fade into the background as the race progresses toward the August primary and November general election.
Upcoming Events
The Michigan Senate race will see intense competition as the August 4 primary approaches. El-Sayed's campaign is scheduled to host events at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University on April 7, featuring both El-Sayed and Hasan Piker. These events are expected to draw significant attention given the controversy surrounding the streamer's past rhetoric.
Meanwhile, the Republican candidate Mike Rogers will be making his case to voters, emphasizing his experience as a former House Speaker and his opposition to what he describes as radical policies in Washington.
With the race heating up and multiple controversies emerging, the Michigan Senate election promises to be a closely watched contest that could significantly impact the national political landscape.