Politics

AOC Endorsed Abdul El-Sayed Despite Pledge Not to Challenge Incumbents

Breaking Points · Kamala, Gavin, Shapiro KISS THE ZOHRAN RING As Establishment FREAKS · July 3, 2026

Breaking Points

Kamala, Gavin, Shapiro KISS THE ZOHRAN RING As Establishment FREAKS

"It's great that she endorsed him. I just want to see more of this, you know, and it's significant, too, because Haley Stevens is one of her colleagues. So, you know, she to to go in and endorse Abdul at this point, I think makes a difference. I think Abdul is on track for victory. So, I also think it's like relatively safe for her at this point uh to jump in the race."

Crystal criticized AOC's endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Senate primary as coming too late to be politically risky, noting that AOC endorsed only after El-Sayed appeared likely to win. The hosts contrasted this with Zoran Mandani's willingness to take bigger political risks by endorsing challengers against incumbents earlier, which has made him a Democratic power broker. Crystal argued AOC is preserving relationships with colleagues at the expense of movement-building and has already surrendered leverage by pledging to vote for Hakeem Jeffries for speaker.

About this episode

Breaking Points hosts Crystal Ball, Ryan Grim, and Griffin discuss the evolving power dynamics within the Democratic Party as progressive candidates gain momentum and establishment figures scramble to reposition themselves. The episode centers on Kamala Harris reportedly reaching out to pro-Palestine activists and New York Congressman Zoran Mandani as she positions for a potential 2028 presidential run, with hosts expressing deep skepticism about her credibility given her refusal to address Gaza during the 2024 campaign. The conversation highlights how Mandani has emerged as a Democratic kingmaker after successfully backing progressive challengers in New York primaries, with mainstream politicians like Josh Shapiro and Gavin Newsom now seeking his endorsement. The hosts contrast Mandani's bold political strategy with AOC's more cautious approach, criticizing her for only endorsing Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Senate primary after he appeared likely to win and for prematurely pledging support for Hakeem Jeffries as speaker, surrendering her leverage. They discuss how AIPAC's attacks on El-Sayed using accusations of sexism and misogyny have fallen flat, similar to failed 2016-era identity politics tactics, and note that mainstream media figures like Casey Hunt continue to miss how public opinion has shifted on Israel-Palestine. The episode also covers El-Sayed's skillful handling of media questioning about Israel's right to exist and his growing support among diverse constituencies including nurses' unions and surprisingly some young men in the barstool demographic. In a shocking segment, the hosts review a viral interview with Victor Markx, the Republican nominee for Colorado governor, who claims his father forced him to kill a man at age seven and refuses to clarify other killings despite never serving in combat, raising serious questions about candidate vetting in Republican primaries.

Key takeaways

Kamala Harris is reaching out to pro-Palestine activists and Zoran Mandani for a potential 2028 run, but hosts say voters won't trust her repositioning after she refused to address Gaza when it mattered during the 2024 campaign.
Zoran Mandani has become a Democratic kingmaker after successfully backing progressive challengers in New York, with establishment figures like Josh Shapiro and Gavin Newsom now seeking his endorsement.
AOC endorsed Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Senate race but only after he appeared likely to win, and she has already pledged to support Hakeem Jeffries for speaker, surrendering her political leverage.
AIPAC spent $30 million attacking Abdul El-Sayed with accusations of sexism that the Detroit Free Press debunked, using failed 2016-era identity politics tactics that no longer resonate with voters.
Victor Markx, the Republican nominee for Colorado governor, went viral claiming his father forced him to kill a man at age seven and refusing to clarify other killings despite never serving in combat.
Mainstream media figures like Casey Hunt continue tone-policing progressives on Israel-Palestine issues, not realizing the Democratic base has shifted decisively against unconditional support for Israel.
The progressive left now has momentum and grassroots support in the Democratic Party in a way that exceeds even peak Bernie Sanders moments, creating an opportunity for bolder political action.