Pro-Abdul El-Sayed Ad Sparks Backlash

What happened

Updated Oct 26, 8:49pm ET

An outside group’s ad supporting Abdul El-Sayed sparked backlash for linking grocery costs to Israel. El-Sayed’s campaign distanced itself from Rebellion PAC, saying the ad was not affiliated with the campaign. The ad landed in Michigan’s competitive Senate race after El-Sayed defeated Representative Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary and prepared to face Republican Mike Rogers. El-Sayed has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which followed the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. Stevens called the ad fearmongering and said blaming grocery costs on Israel would not help Michigan Democrats. The ad ends by saying El-Sayed is “for you.”

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets framed the ad as a Democratic problem El-Sayed needed to contain, with sharper focus on party strain than electoral opportunity. The New York Times stressed his effort to move past intraparty tensions. MEDIAite focused on condemnation of the ad as antisemitic. The Atlantic tied the episode to earlier attacks on Israel’s supporters.

How the right told it

Right-leaning outlets cast the ad as a moral and political liability, stressing antisemitism and false blame for prices. The New York Post portrayed it as scapegoating Israel for Americans’ problems and misleading voters about aid. The Washington Examiner cited Senator Elissa Slotkin saying it would not help Michigan Democrats win.