Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed faced criticism after questioning whether transgender participation in school sports creates competing rights. He also called the idea of shielding children from disagreeable information through schools “so profoundly outdated.” Mike Rogers shared a clip of the exchange, drawing attention to the remarks.
During a “60 Minutes” interview, correspondent Ross Douthat asked El-Sayed about transgender students competing on sports teams. Douthat raised the possibility of conflicting rights, but the Democratic candidate challenged that premise. “I think we manufacture these social issues,” he said.
He then shifted the discussion to smartphones, asking Douthat whether he carried an iPhone or Samsung. He argued that internet access already exposes children to information their parents might find objectionable. Therefore, he questioned whether schools could realistically prevent children from encountering such content.
The candidate described the free flow of information as “a beautiful thing” and emphasized parental guidance over restricting exposure. Rather than trying to shield children from everything, he encouraged parents to discuss their beliefs and explain different perspectives. He argued that children should make their own choices about who they become while navigating an internet-connected world.
Parents Question Abdul El-Sayed’s Transgender Sports Remarks
Parents joined the criticism, raising concerns about their children’s safety, privacy, and participation in school sports.
One commenter questioned whether El-Sayed would apply his argument to his own family, asking, “Is that ok for his daughter?”
A father of a teenage girl expressed frustration, writing, “As a dad of a teenage girl… this is actually an EVIL thing to say.”
Another parent challenged his reasoning, stating, “I have 2 grown daughters and a son! Just because horrible things happen and u know about it on the internet, doesn’t make it right”
The debate also extended to girls’ sports. One parent declared, “I also will never let a dude fight my daughters”
However, others challenged how his remarks were portrayed. One response stated, “He didn’t say that. Stop lying.”
Another defended his position, writing, “His point was that it’s not an issue that even impacts a significant fraction of the population. It’s a manufactured social issue for getting political clout.”
The discussion left questions about transgender participation in school sports unresolved. El-Sayed did not outline specific eligibility or privacy policies during the shared exchange.
