Abdul El-Sayed welcomes Tucker Carlson’s dig at Mike Rogers, then explains why he says MAGA is ‘eating itself’
An anti-endorsement.
The political landscape in Michigan just took a turn that not many saw coming. Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed recently weighed in on some surprising praise from conservative commentator Tucker Carlson. According to The Hill, during an appearance on CNN on Monday, September 21, 2026, El-Sayed suggested that the MAGA movement is currently in the middle of a major internal fracture.
The situation stems from comments Carlson made on his podcast earlier this month. The former television host did not hold back when discussing El-Sayed’s opponent, former Representative Mike Rogers. Carlson explicitly stated, “I wouldn’t vote for Mike Rogers at gunpoint.” He even went as far as to describe El-Sayed’s campaign as “literally Trumpian” while predicting a victory for the Democrat in November.
When asked about these comments during his interview on Monday, El-Sayed kept his perspective grounded. He acknowledged that he and Carlson rarely find themselves on the same page regarding policy. However, he admitted that he agrees with the specific critique Carlson leveled against the Republican nominee.
El-Sayed articulated his view clearly during his segment on the show
“I think what you’re seeing here is MAGA eating itself,” the Michigan Senate hopeful explained. He suggested that the core of this tension lies in the shifting priorities of the movement. According to El-Sayed, many supporters feel that some Republican figures have abandoned the foundational principles that defined the America First platform. He pointed directly to foreign policy as a primary point of contention.
The U.S.-Israeli war in Iran is nearing its seven-month mark, and it remains a deeply unpopular issue for many voters. El-Sayed argued that those who genuinely believe in the movement’s original ideas are becoming frustrated. He noted that these voters are turning against people like Mike Rogers because they view his recent political shifts as insincere.
El-Sayed did not mince words when describing his opponent’s political history. “Folks are turning on people like Mike Rogers because Mike Rogers was a neocon, and then he decried Donald Trump when Donald Trump came to power,” he stated. He continued, “Now, he’s willing to do whatever Donald Trump tells him to do, so long as Donald Trump is happy with him.”
Rogers has faced his own challenges regarding his stance on the war in Iran
While Rogers previously supported the president’s handling of the conflict, he recently called for a swift end to the fighting. His campaign has pointed to economic concerns, specifically the impact of rising fuel prices caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
El-Sayed was careful to clarify how he interprets the commentary from Carlson. He stressed that he does not view the remarks as a formal endorsement of his own candidacy. Instead, he framed the situation as a clear act of opposition toward his rival. “It’s more of a non-endorsement for Mike Rogers, an anti-endorsement against Mike Rogers, than it is anything about me,” he said.
El-Sayed also emphasized that he has never spoken with Carlson directly. He maintained that he is focused on his own principled approach to the campaign. He said that he is someone who has navigated a difficult primary process while refusing to accept corporate money. The Michigander believes that his dedication to these principles is what attracted attention in this instance.
The political fallout from Carlson’s comments has been significant
The remarks sparked immediate backlash from prominent voices within the right-wing activist community. HuffPost reports that even Vice President J.D. Vance addressed the situation during a White House press briefing on September 3. Vance acknowledged his friendship with Carlson but noted that he disagrees with some of the things the podcaster has said recently.
This entire situation highlights the volatile nature of the current election cycle in Michigan. The Senate seat is currently held by retiring Senator Gary Peters, and the race remains a toss-up according to the Cook Political Report. El-Sayed, who defeated Representative Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary, is positioning himself as a candidate who stands by his convictions.
It is clear that the dynamics within the Republican Party are shifting in ways that even some prominent conservatives find difficult to manage. Whether this internal friction will impact the final results in November remains to be seen. For now, El-Sayed is using the moment to highlight his own consistency while pointing to what he calls a broader disintegration of the MAGA establishment.
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