Rachel Griffin Accurso, the children's entertainer known as Ms. Rachel, has contributed $3,000 to the U.S. Senate campaign of Michigan hopeful Abdul El-Sayed. The Federal Election Commission filings, dated July 19, detail the contribution, though it remains unclear if the sum is a donation or a loan.
El-Sayed has previously described the Israeli government as a "rogue state" and accused it of "genocide." He has also campaigned with influencer Hasan Piker, who has made controversial statements regarding 9/11 and Jewish people.
Critics have voiced concern over Accurso's support for El-Sayed, citing her significant influence over young audiences. Samantha Cantrell, a spokesperson for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, stated that parents should be wary of candidates like El-Sayed and personalities like Ms. Rachel pushing certain agendas. Sheila Nazarian, a plastic surgeon and reality television personality, expressed disappointment, questioning why someone who built a brand around kindness would support rhetoric described as antisemitic and hateful.
Accurso herself has been critical of Israel, accusing the nation of "genocide" and the "slaughtering of thousands of children in Gaza." Ms. Rachel has a substantial online following, with over 20 million subscribers on YouTube and 5 million followers on Instagram.
This is not Accurso's first foray into political funding. She previously donated $3,500 to a group of New York City-based candidates who defeated establishment Democrats in primaries, a shift attributed in part to anti-Israel sentiment. Accurso also made donations to House candidates Darializa Avila Chevalier and Brad Lander prior to their June primaries. Her husband, Aron Accurso, who is a music director, also contributed $1,500 to Chevalier's campaign.