Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is facing criticism following his response to a question about gender-affirming surgery for minors during an interview on Fox News. El-Sayed compared the procedure to circumcision when pressed by host Jesse Watters.
During the exchange on Monday night, Watters questioned El-Sayed about outlawing sex-change surgeries for children. El-Sayed responded by asking Watters if he was circumcised and suggested that equating the two procedures, which he referred to as "surgery on a kid's ding-a-ling," demonstrated being "really selective about these things."
Critics argued that circumcision is a medically recommended procedure with potential health benefits, while gender-affirming surgery for minors lacks such justification. The New York Post opinion piece characterized El-Sayed's comparison as an unusual tactic and suggested it reflected poor judgment.
El-Sayed's campaign has also focused on advocating for Medicare for All, a proposal that, according to critics, would significantly increase taxes and eliminate current private insurance options. The article also raised concerns about El-Sayed's past statements and associations, citing comments he made about an attempted mass shooting of Jewish children and his refusal to explicitly disavow streamer Hasan Piker, an individual who had made threats against American Jews. El-Sayed's campaign issued a statement disagreeing with Piker's comments without naming him directly, a response that drew parallels to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries' similar approach. The article suggested a broader trend within the Democratic party of reluctance to condemn antisemitic remarks.