Host Mehdi Hasan questioned Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed about his use of the term ‘physician’ in a contentious interview. El-Sayed, a Democrat, faces attacks from rivals for using this term despite not holding a valid state medical license in New York or Michigan, which is typically required to identify as a physician. Hasan pressed El-Sayed on whether it would have been wiser to refer to himself as a doctor to avoid controversy.
El-Sayed responded by suggesting that his qualifications are secondary to the broader issue of providing children with quality education. ‘At the end of the day, it’s not about whether or not I’m a physician or a doctor,’ El-Sayed stated. ‘It’s about whether or not your kid gets a good education.’
Despite the focus on healthcare access and education during the interview, El-Sayed defended his record in public health. He highlighted his tenure as Detroit’s health director, claiming his efforts in government service surpassed the healthcare contributions of many practicing doctors. ‘I’ve done more to provide more people healthcare or eliminate their medical debt than most doctors have done in their practice career,’ he asserted.
El-Sayed explained that he altered his career path after graduating from Columbia University. Even without a medical license, he pointed out that he graduated from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. This distinction, however, has not deterred criticism from his political opponents.
Mehdi Hasan also challenged El-Sayed over personal finance disclosures, which became a focal point for Rep. Haley Stevens, another Senate contender. Stevens criticized El-Sayed’s decision to file an extension, suggesting it was a tactic to delay transparency. ‘You sought an extension through August 13, I believe, which is after the primary,’ Hasan noted.
El-Sayed responded by attributing the financial disclosure delay to complicated tax matters, including overseas property owned by his wife’s family. ‘Getting all those tax forms is a thing,’ he remarked.
Bridge Michigan reported El-Sayed filed an extension for his financial disclosure until after the August 4 primary, with the deadline now set for August 13. Stevens, according to the report, has regularly requested extensions from 2019 to 2025 but did not do so in the current year.
Stevens’ campaign emphasized the importance of El-Sayed fulfilling his pledge to release financial disclosures before the primary, as he promised on camera after a debate. ‘Now, the clock is ticking,’ said Arik Wolk, Stevens for Senate Communications Director.