Far-left Michigan Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed on Sunday defended the participation of transgender female athletes in girls' sports, characterizing the debate as a manufactured social issue. El-Sayed stated on CBS News' "60 Minutes" that society creates these divisive culture-war topics.
"I think we manufacture these social issues," El-Sayed said. He argued that in the digital age, with information readily available on smartphones, the idea of shielding children from certain topics is outdated. "I think it’s really important for us to recognize that the free flow of information is actually a beautiful thing."
The issue of transgender athletes in women's sports has presented a challenge for Democrats, balancing support from their base with public opinion, which largely opposes it. A Pew Research survey indicated that 73% of Americans are uncomfortable with transgender athletes competing in sports that do not align with their birth sex.
El-Sayed's remarks drew criticism from his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, who called the comments "completely unacceptable." Conservative influencer Will Chamberlain also criticized El-Sayed's stance, characterizing it as dismissive of concerns about male genitalia in women's locker rooms.
Previously, El-Sayed drew attention for comparing circumcision to transgender surgeries on children during an interview on Fox News' "Jesse Watters." When asked if he believed parents should have their children circumcised, El-Sayed asked Watters if he wanted to have that conversation and if Watters himself was circumcised.
During the "60 Minutes" interview, El-Sayed asserted that he is "not running to govern sports." He suggested that many current cultural war issues serve as distractions from pressing economic concerns such as the cost of living and healthcare access.
According to RealClearPolitics aggregate polling, El-Sayed holds a slight lead over Rogers in the Michigan Senate race.