Abdul El-Sayed is Challenging Democrats — But Can He Actually Govern?

Tara Palmeri sits down with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the former Detroit health director and Michigan Senate candidate running against the Democratic establishment without a dollar of corporate money. Abdul breaks down the crowded Michigan Senate primary — Mallory McMorrow's resurfaced tweets disparaging the state she wants to represent, Haley Stevens' Schumer backing, and why his poll numbers keep climbing despite no PAC support. They go deep on his relationship with Hasan Piker and whether campaigning with a controversial creator costs or gains votes, his willingness to sit down with Trump ("He's a narcissistic a***ole... he's also the president"), the $100 million AIPAC super PAC targeting him, why he thinks Democrats lost in 2024, and what Medicare for All actually looks like in a gridlocked Senate. Plus a rapid-fire round that includes his thoughts on Hamas vs. the IDF, his hatred of Ohio, and why Bernie Sanders is "the OG." 0:00 – Intro: Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan Senate candidate running without corporate money 1:33 – Schumer backed Stevens, now says he's "fine with either" of Abdul's opponents 4:37 – Running without PAC money: "When people understand you're fighting for them, they support you" 6:26 – "Trump is not the disease — he's the worst symptom. The disease is the system" 7:44 – Tara: This sounds like left-wing populism — same playbook as Trump 9:43 – What he's done: free glasses for kids, taking on polluters, eliminating $700M in medical debt 14:15 – Tara: Voters are throwing away purity tests to vote for outsiders 16:52 – Tara: If you could grill RFK Jr., what would you ask? 18:28 – Hasan Piker: are you worried campaigning with him could cost you votes? 28:17 – Tara: Would you sit down with Trump? 30:17 – Michigan vs. Ohio: "Ohio exists to hold up Michigan" 32:47 – Biggest mistake Democrats made in 2024? 33:01 – If you lose, what will it be because of? 33:12 – If you win, what changes on day one? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices