Podcast Highlights Controversial Social Media Posts by Democratic Candidates

The "Ruthless Podcast" has drawn attention to social media posts and past statements by Democratic candidates Abdul El-Sayed and William Lawrence in Michigan, and Matt Dunlap in Maine. The podcast hosts highlighted content that they argue contradicts the candidates' current public personas and campaign platforms.

In Michigan, the podcast focused on Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, pointing to unearthed posts and appearances at Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) events. According to the podcast hosts, these posts feature El-Sayed with figures like Linda Sarsour and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and express support for initiatives such as the Green New Deal. This is presented as a contrast to El-Sayed's recent characterizations of himself as a capitalist and not a socialist.

A 2019 post, highlighted by the podcast, shows El-Sayed speaking at an event co-sponsored by the DSA and Sunrise Movement that addressed the "climate crisis is a crisis of capitalism." Podcast co-host Josh Holmes noted this as an inconsistency for someone claiming to be a capitalist. A recent Fox News poll indicated a tight race between El-Sayed and Republican nominee Mike Rogers, with El-Sayed leading 50% to 49%.

The podcast also discussed U.S. House candidate William Lawrence in Michigan's seventh congressional district. CNN reported that Lawrence had deleted numerous past social media posts containing statements such as "f---… the nuclear family" and advocating for the abolition of the Senate and defunding the police. Lawrence is set to face incumbent Tom Barrett, R-Mich., in the general election.

Turning to Maine's second congressional district, the podcast discussed Democratic nominee Matt Dunlap. Hosts pointed to Dunlap's votes as a state legislator to increase the gas tax and vehicle registration fee, actions Dunlap has defended as "absolutely… the right vote." Additionally, Breitbart reported that Dunlap voted against lifetime probation for repeat sex offenders. Dunlap is running against former Governor Paul LePage.