A recent campaign video featuring Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers riding in an antique Ford pickup truck has ignited controversy in the Michigan Senate race. The video, posted online August 16, shows Rogers smiling and waving from the passenger seat of a red Ford truck adorned with American flags, accompanied by Toby Keith's song "American Ride." Rogers captioned the post, "Gotta love this American Ride! There’s no better way to do the Woodward Dream Cruise!"
Mason Pressler, identified as the political manager for northern Michigan for El-Sayed's campaign, responded to the video on X, stating, "Mike Rogers’ campaign has the aesthetics of a 1960s white flight suburb and a KKK cross burning."
Rogers' campaign quickly seized on Pressler's remark, accusing El-Sayed's side of suggesting that "driving a Michigan-made Ford truck is akin to the KKK." The campaign added "Old Ford trucks" to its publicly maintained list of items it claims El-Sayed dislikes.
Roxie Richner, El-Sayed's communications director, told Fox News Digital that Pressler's views do not represent the official campaign stance, noting that Pressler's X bio states his posts are his own opinions. Richner did not provide further comment when asked about the campaign aide's remarks.
El-Sayed, a progressive Democrat, has faced scrutiny over past associations and statements. During his campaign, he has appeared with streamer Hasan Piker, known for controversial remarks about America and communism. Videos from El-Sayed's private YouTube channel, which he did not initially make public, reportedly showed him arguing against the Second Amendment. An unearthed essay also drew a parallel between President Donald Trump and Osama Bin Laden.
Further controversy has surrounded El-Sayed's campaign finances, with reports indicating he received significant campaign contributions from individuals associated with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). The United Arab Emirates has designated CAIR as a terrorist organization, and Florida and Texas have also formally designated or labeled it as such.
El-Sayed's sister, Eman Abdelhadi, a University of Chicago professor, was reportedly arrested for allegedly spitting on a police officer during an anti-ICE protest.