Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed faced backlash after a voter asked him to disavow the Muslim Brotherhood. The Democrat agreed but challenged why the voter questioned his loyalty to the U.S. Constitution. Critics accused him of turning the question into a religious debate.
The exchange appeared in a video circulating on X. The questioner was later identified in media reports as Thomas ‘Tommy’ Teepell, a former staffer for Republican Sen. Josh Hawley who later worked as political director for a Republican gubernatorial campaign.
“Will you disavow the Muslim Brotherhood?” Tommy asked. “Sure. Yeah, absolutely,” El-Sayed replied, before questioning why Tommy assumed he would refuse. The voter repeatedly explained that he had never heard the candidate disavow the group.
However, El-Sayed argued that the question implied his Muslim faith might outweigh his allegiance to the Constitution. He compared that suspicion to questions John F. Kennedy faced about loyalty to the Pope because of his Catholicism. He emphasized that the Constitution guaranteed Americans the freedom to practice their religions.
The discussion then turned to Tommy’s Christian faith. El-Sayed asked whether he disavowed attempts to incorporate religious doctrine into American law. Tommy said he did not.
“So I think it’s you who needs to understand the Constitution, not me,” El-Sayed concluded.
Abdul El-Sayed Faces Backlash Over Muslim Brotherhood Exchange
The exchange divided users over whether El-Sayed addressed the question or unfairly challenged the voter for asking it.
“You twisted his question into religion. He wasn’t asking you about that,” one user wrote. Another criticized his approach, saying, “You are arrogant and disrespectful. Try the charm offensive when you see a chance to change a mind.”
Others questioned whether his response went far enough. “A one-word ‘yes’ from Sayed isn’t enough. People deserve an unequivocal condemnation of the Muslim Brotherhood and its ideology,” one response stated. Another challenged his decision to question Tommy, writing, “Tommy’s not running for office.”
However, some defended El-Sayed’s handling of the confrontation. “Best job of politely calling out someone’s bigotry I’ve ever seen,” one user wrote. Another emphasized loyalty to the Constitution, stating, “As U.S. citizens, we bear allegiance to the Constitution, not to a man or a faith.”
The exchange has since become part of a broader debate over the scrutiny El-Sayed has faced regarding the Muslim Brotherhood and his Muslim faith. While critics argued that he unnecessarily turned a straightforward question into a discussion about religion, supporters said his response highlighted assumptions about his loyalty because he is Muslim.
