Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is facing significant criticism online following social media posts that targeted Second Lady Usha Vance and a female aide to former President Donald Trump. Critics have accused El-Sayed of racism and misogyny.
The controversy began after Vice President J.D. Vance criticized El-Sayed's past statements linking criticism of Sharia law to white supremacy. In response, El-Sayed posted on social media, "So do we think JD is taking Usha with him back in time to meet Papaw, or no…" The remark, which some interpreted as a reference to Usha Vance's Indian ethnicity, drew sharp condemnation.
Former Florida state representative Ben Graber questioned El-Sayed's approach, stating on X, "El Sayed is now attacking Wives [sic] of US leaders? What a guy." Republican Texas Representative Brandon Gill asked, "Why does Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed just assume that all White midwestern grandparents are racist?" Commentator Ryan Girdusky suggested El-Sayed believes "rural White Americans living in Michigan" are racist.
An X account supporting El-Sayed's opponent, Republican Mike Rogers, stated, "This is why there were ads in the primary correctly highlighting how sexist and misogynistic Abdul is. He has so much contempt for women."
Journalist Emily Schrader called El-Sayed "a racist creep" in response to his post.
Additionally, El-Sayed made a post directed at Natalie Harp, an aide to former President Donald Trump. El-Sayed's comment to Harp came after Trump criticized El-Sayed for campaigning with far-left streamer Hasan Piker, who has made controversial statements. El-Sayed told Harp, "Natalie, I think he’s had a little too much iPad for the week. He needs his rest."
GOP strategist Matt Whitlock shared screenshots of both posts, calling it "a bad campaign, bad candidate, bad instincts."
Tudor Dixon, a Republican former gubernatorial candidate in Michigan, commented, "He goes after Usha. He goes after Natalie [Harp]. This coward picks on women who are not in his fight. Imagine how he would treat female staffers in the halls of Congress."
Fox News Digital reached out to the vice president's office and a representative for Usha Vance but did not immediately receive a response.