Abdul El-Sayed Wants to “Get Money Out of Politics”…Or Does He?

What happened in this episode?

This 90-second "Honestly" segment from The Free Press focuses on Abdul El-Sayed, described by the host as the expected winner of Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary. The host frames the segment around an alleged inconsistency: El-Sayed’s stated top policy goal of "get[ting] money out of politics" versus claims that he is benefiting from nearly $5m in PAC and independent-expenditure support.

The host says that outside money aiding El-Sayed includes lobbyists for the nursing industry and a super PAC said to be controlled by a Muslim nonprofit that the segment claims was labelled a terrorist organisation in Florida and Texas. The segment also asserts that El-Sayed’s campaign is being backed by donors aligned with what it calls his "anti-Israel politics".

A significant portion addresses AIPAC, which the host describes as a pro-Israel super PAC led by American Jews rather than a foreign government. The host says El-Sayed has repeatedly criticised AIPAC’s spending in the race and argues that his opponent, Representative Haley Stevens, has benefited from roughly $30m from AIPAC and other pro-Israel donors. The segment then alleges that at least $1m of the PAC dollars behind El-Sayed come from the "opposite side"—including $678,200 (as stated) from "American Priorities", described as a newly formed super PAC meant to counterbalance AIPAC.

The segment ends by saying El-Sayed’s campaign did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

What are the key points?

• The host alleges Abdul El-Sayed is benefiting from just under $5m in PAC/independent-expenditure support.
• The segment claims some backing includes nursing-industry lobbyists and other outside groups; the claim is not evidenced in the clip.
• The host describes El-Sayed as having focused criticism on AIPAC and outside pro-Israel spending in the Michigan race.
• The segment alleges El-Sayed has also benefited from anti-Israel-aligned donors, including $678,200 (as stated) from a newly formed super PAC called American Priorities.
• The host says El-Sayed’s campaign did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Which topics are covered?

How is this page sourced?

Programme

Bari Weiss Honestly

Published

4 August 2026

Duration

1m

Original episode

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