Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed reacted strongly to comments made by Vice President J.D.Vance, who had mentioned El-Sayed during a discussion about who has a stronger connection to the United States.
El-Sayed asked Rev.
Al Sharpton in disbelief, “Why is he pointing to me?” He added, “Why is Trump pointing to me?Trying to say I’m not as American as others.What does that have to do with?Is it because of the color of my skin or how I pray?”
El-Sayed brought Vance’s argument back to the vice president, noting that Vance’s wife, Usha, comes from a Hindu family in India.
He said, “How can you look your parents-in-law in the eye and say they’re less American than you are?That’s what he’s implying.”
El-Sayed argued that the focus on his background is a distraction from real issues Americans care about.
He said, “My name and my background aren’t raising your gas prices.That’s what the Trump administration is doing.” He continued, “My name and my background aren’t causing trade wars that raise your costs.That’s what the Trump administration is doing.”
He also pointed out that his background isn’t the reason people can’t see a doctor, citing Republican cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
“If you don’t want to talk about what you’re doing, that’s fine, but I encourage you to leave my name and my background out of it.”
This is the core of Vance’s harmful MAGA politics.
When people are struggling with everyday costs like groceries, gas, and health care, they’d rather have politicians argue over whether someone like Abdul El-Sayed is American enough.
El-Sayed’s response was clear: His name isn’t the problem.
Their policies and poor leadership are.
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