Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed faced pointed questions regarding his past statements on Sharia law, wealth taxes, and other progressive policy positions during a television interview on "Jesse Watters Primetime." El-Sayed, who is running against former Republican congressman Mike Rogers for a U.S. Senate seat, defended his views and accused the Trump administration of targeting him based on his faith.
During the interview, El-Sayed was challenged on his adherence to Sharia law and remarks linking efforts to eliminate it with White supremacy. He responded by stating that no one is attempting to impose Sharia law on others, drawing a parallel to religious freedom in America. "Nobody is trying to push Sharia law on anyone else, just like I hope nobody is trying to push Canon law on anybody else, because we live in an America where you should have the freedom of your religion," El-Sayed told host Jesse Watters. He also criticized proposed legislation that would restrict foreign nationals advocating for Sharia law from entering the U.S., calling it a targeted effort against the Muslim community.
El-Sayed also addressed his proposal to increase taxes on individuals with wealth exceeding $100 million. He argued that such a tax would fund essential public services like infrastructure and education, contrasting his position with that of his opponent, Mike Rogers, and former President Donald Trump. "The question ultimately is, ‘Do you want to drive on good roads, or would you rather have a billionaire make a second billion?’ That's what Mike Rogers wants. That's why Donald Trump wants. Apparently, that's what you want. I think the people in Michigan want something different," he stated. He contended that even with increased taxes, the wealthiest Americans would still maintain significant financial security.
The interview also touched upon El-Sayed's criticisms of wealthy Americans' influence on politics. Notably, the report highlighted that El-Sayed and his wife reported an income of $686,069 in 2025, placing their household among Michigan's top earners. El-Sayed accused Watters of defending billionaires, to which Watters responded by asserting the right to the "fruits of my own labor."
El-Sayed also criticized Rogers, characterizing him as a "beta" male and accusing him of evading interviews. The interview also covered El-Sayed's past remarks on reparations for Black Americans and his stance on U.S. military involvement, specifically referencing the conflict with Iran.