Abdul Elsayed calls US politics a 'disease' after love vow
Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul Elsayed called America's political system a "disease" on Sunday, moments after saying he loves the United States. Speaking with Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Grand Rapids, the Democratic physician argued President Trump is only the "worst symptom" of corporate and special-interest influence.
Key Takeaways
- Abdul Elsayed told a Grand Rapids rally he loves America, then labeled the U.S. political system a "disease."
- He cast Donald Trump as the "worst symptom," blaming corporations, billionaires, and groups such as AIPAC.
- The Egyptian American doctor also vowed to abolish ICE and called himself "dangerous" to insurers and party leaders.
- Michigan's Democratic Senate primary is set for Aug. 4, 2026, according to campaign supporters.
What did Abdul Elsayed say about American politics?
At the final stop of "The People v. The Powerful" tour at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, Fox News reported that Abdul Elsayed first praised the opportunities America gave him.
The former public health official said he received an "incredible" public university education and a medical education funded through the National Institutes of Health.
"No, don't get it twisted. I love America. I know exactly what America gave to me," he told the crowd. "I know what America can do, and at the same time, it's impossible not to reflect on the worst moments of those 250 years as well."
He then pivoted hard. "Donald Trump is not, himself, the disease of our politics. He's just the worst symptom of the disease of our politics," Elsayed said. "The disease? It's the system that allows corporations and billionaires and special interests like AIPAC to buy and sell politicians to dig the system against us."
Why does the money-in-politics claim matter now?
Elsayed's attack lands in a Senate fight where campaign cash is already a central subplot. Supporters on Daily Kos say Republicans have reserved about $45 million in ads against Michigan's eventual Democratic nominee, and they claim AIPAC is spending more than $50 million to stop Elsayed before the Aug. 4 primary.
That money-and-power frame also tracks themes readers follow in Fintech & Crypto Alerts, where capital, lobbying, and political risk often collide.
Ocasio-Cortez struck a similar note at the tour, saying voters "deserve a politics that treats the disease and not the symptoms."
What else did he attack at the Michigan rallies?
Elsayed turned next to health costs, arguing medical debt should not exist. He claimed the country's roughly $225 billion in medical debt could be erased for about $2.25 billion because it can be purchased "for a penny on the dollar."
On immigration enforcement, he called ICE a "rogue agency" with "nothing to do with immigration" or the southern border, saying it "cannot be reformed" and "has to be abolished."
He also branded himself a threat to entrenched interests. "If you're Blue Cross Blue Shield, I'm dangerous," he said. "If you're Chuck Schumer, trading politicians like trading cards, I'm dangerous."
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez shared the stage as the trio criticized Trump, party leaders, corporations, and ICE. Campaign supporters highlight priorities that include money out of politics and Medicare for All.