Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed refused to defend the Green New Deal during a recent interview, a notable departure from his previous public endorsements of the progressive climate policy. When pressed by Fox News host Jesse Watters, El-Sayed stated, "I’m not going to defend the Green New Deal," and instead redirected the conversation to lowering energy costs and generating jobs in Michigan through renewable energy initiatives.
El-Sayed's shift comes as a competitive U.S. Senate race takes shape in Michigan, a state that has seen close election results determining congressional control. Critics have accused El-Sayed of downplaying past policy stances and altering his online presence to appeal to a broader electorate.
A review of El-Sayed's deleted social media posts, preserved through the Internet Archive, revealed numerous instances of him explicitly supporting the Green New Deal. In January 2019, he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Rather than announcing the next iteration of this or that car at [the North American International Auto Show 2019], I’d love to see automakers announce that they support the #GreenNewDeal." He also posted in September 2019, "I believe in a Green New Deal" in all caps multiple times, linking the policy to racial justice and the ability to breathe clean air.
During his primary campaign, El-Sayed faced criticism from Rep. Haley Stevens, who argued that the Green New Deal could negatively impact Michigan's automobile manufacturing industry. At the time, El-Sayed defended the proposal, writing, "The struggle for the Green New Deal uplifts the struggle for racial justice." He also stated, "The #GreenNewDeal doesn’t center polar bears or glaciers, it centers those children forced to breath (sic.) in corporate pollution in their communities. I stand with the Green New Deal because it stands for those kids."
The Green New Deal, introduced in 2019 by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey, outlines a framework for transitioning the U.S. away from fossil fuels. It has become a symbol for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, leading many candidates in closely contested races to distance themselves from the policy.
El-Sayed has also been scrutinized for other deleted online content, including past support for the "defund the police" movement and comments critical of law enforcement. Additionally, a hidden YouTube video reportedly showed him suggesting a constitutional right to healthcare supersede the Second Amendment and referring to Border Patrol agents as "white supremacists."
Since announcing his Senate candidacy, El-Sayed has not mentioned the Green New Deal on X, according to a review of his recent posts. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment regarding the unearthed posts and his current stance on the Green New Deal.