Donald Trump can’t stop talking about Abdul El-Sayed.The Democratic Senate candidate from Michigan has a theory about why.
“I think what he’s afraid of is that I’m not afraid of him,” El-Sayed told Jim Acosta on his podcast.
“People like that have a sense of people who are willing to stand up to him, which is why he’s trying to preempt now.”
Then El-Sayed looked directly into the camera and spoke to the president.
“So, Donny, if you’re watching …
I’ve got bigger hands than you.I’ve got a better agenda than you.I’m going to beat your guy … And I’m looking forward to reminding you of that for two years when I’m in the U.S.Senate.”
It’s clear that El-Sayed has gotten under Trump’s skin because he can’t stop talking about him.
El-Sayed even thanked Trump for keeping him in the news.
“Thank you, Donald Trump, for continuing to talk about me, for keeping me at the top of your mind,” he said.
“I hope that you learn how to say my name appropriately.”
El-Sayed found it amusing that Trump recently called him a “lovely gentleman … which is kind of weird.”
“It’s in keeping with how he feels about Mamdani and others.
I don’t really know what his fetish is, but we’ll have to figure it out.”
Trump has been trying to turn El-Sayed into a national MAGA villain as the 41-year-old physician rides the momentum of his upset victory in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary.
But El-Sayed isn’t responding like someone afraid of having the president put a target on his back.
He’s totally cool, calm, and collected, which is a big contrast to Trump’s easily upset nature.
That’s what makes this exchange so effective.
Trump has always dominated opponents by insulting them, belittling them and daring them to fight on his terms.Too many politicians respond by getting defensive, intimidated, or trying to prove they’re above the spectacle.
El-Sayed just called him “Donny,” made fun of his hands and told him he’s going to beat his candidate.
But underneath the trolling was the more important message: “I’m not afraid of you, gramps.”
That’s exactly the kind of Democrat Trump has always had the most trouble dealing with: one who refuses to be intimidated, refuses to play defense and looks like he’s having a real good time fighting back.
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