Tucker Carlson offered surprising praise for Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, describing the progressive’s campaign platform as “literally Trumpian” while fiercely attacking Republican nominee Mike Rogers.
Carlson discussed the Michigan race with podcaster Saagar Enjeti on “The Tucker Carlson Show.” The two said El-Sayed began his political career as a “full-blown leftist” but has since undergone what they described as an “ideological evolution.”
“I watch his campaign now, it’s America First,” Enjeti said.
Enjeti pointed to El-Sayed’s opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza and his promise to prevent Americans’ tax dollars from supporting foreign military operations.
“When he talks about Israel, he says, ‘Israel is committing a genocide, but ultimately I want to make sure that you don’t pay more for healthcare,’” Enjeti said.
He added that El-Sayed campaigns in front of a large American flag and described the candidate’s approach to several issues as “almost Trumpian.”
“Well, it is literally Trumpian,” Carlson responded.
Both men predicted that El-Sayed, a progressive former public health official, would likely defeat Rogers in November.
El-Sayed’s national profile has grown rapidly since he defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s August Democratic primary. Stevens outspent El-Sayed nine-to-one after receiving $30 million from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
El-Sayed has since drawn comparisons to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. He has also faced attacks from President Donald Trump and responded enthusiastically.
The Democrat has pledged to oppose additional U.S. aid to Israel because of the country’s actions in Gaza, an issue Carlson has repeatedly addressed. Carlson has been accused of antisemitism over his criticism of Israel and his claims that the country exercises excessive influence in Washington.
Carlson is not the only right-wing media personality to express some admiration for El-Sayed.
Fox News host Jesse Watters said he liked the Democrat following a fiery interview in which El-Sayed asked Watters on live television whether he was circumcised.
“I actually like Abdul,” Watters later said. “I probably shouldn’t like him, but I do.”
Watters nevertheless said El-Sayed would be a “terrible senator” and called him “a little bit of a lunatic,” while praising him for not being a “typical stiff.”
Rogers, a former congressman and former House Intelligence Committee chairman, is known as a staunch supporter of Israel. His campaign is reportedly concerned about receiving AIPAC’s support following the backlash Stevens faced during the Democratic primary.
“I wouldn’t vote for Mike Rogers at gunpoint,” Carlson told Enjeti.
Enjeti noted that Rogers lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in 2024 despite Trump carrying Michigan, calling the Republican a “literal loser.”
Carlson accused Rogers of being “a tool of Israel and the intelligence agencies” and questioned why Republicans would nominate him again.
“There’s no one who should be farther from a position of power than Mike Rogers,” Carlson said, adding that he knows Rogers personally.
Enjeti said he was “genuinely shocked” Republicans again selected a candidate who failed to win during a strong year for Trump.
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