Vice President JD Vance went straight after Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed during a campaign stop ahead of the midterm elections, accusing the Democrat of representing a dangerous strain of identity-based politics that Vance said could tear the country apart.
“I realize there’s something about Abdul El-Sayed that is very, very evil and on the rise in the United States of America today,” Vance said.
The vice president then explained exactly what he meant, arguing that the problem goes far beyond a single Senate candidate.
“It’s people who see themselves not as citizens of a combination, fighting for every single person, whether they’re Jewish or Christian, whether they’re white or black or brown, but see themselves as fighting for one group at the expense of others,” Vance continued.
“And that is how, ladies and gentlemen, you destroy the United States of America,” he added.
Vance was in Michigan campaigning for former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who is facing El-Sayed in what has become one of the most closely watched Senate contests in the country. Republicans see the race as critical to maintaining control of the Senate, which explains why the vice president showed up ready to throw political punches instead of offering the usual campaign-season oatmeal.
Much of Vance’s criticism centered on El-Sayed’s relationship with Michigan’s Jewish community and comments made after a March attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township.
El-Sayed recently met with members of the Jewish Democratic Caucus and apologized for saying “hurt people hurt people” following the attack. Some critics believed the remark appeared too sympathetic to the attacker, whose actions authorities described as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.
Vance seized on that controversy during his remarks.
“When I see Abdul El-Sayed talk about white supremacy being the root of opposition to Sharia law; When I see a guy like Abdul El-Sayed empathize not with the innocent children at Temple Israel or the security guards, but empathize with the person who committed that atrocious crime,” Vance said.
He also criticized El-Sayed for appearing with political commentator Hasan Piker, whose past comments have generated extensive controversy.
“When I see Abdul El-Sayed campaign around the state with somebody who said that America deserved 9/11; What I see is a man who has sympathy and compassion for people who share his religion, but have nothing for people who don’t.”
Vance praised the rabbi of Temple Israel and a security guard who was injured during the attack. According to his spokesperson, Vance met with both backstage before the campaign event.
Then things got personal.
Vance also fired back at El-Sayed for comments involving second lady Usha Vance.
“But whatever you want to talk about, Abdul, keep my wife’s name the hell out of your mouth, because she’s way out of your league,” Vance said.
Vice President JD Vance criticized Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on Monday for bringing up his wife, second lady Usha Vance.
“Keep my wife’s name the hell out of your mouth, because she’s way out of your league," Vance said.
El-Sayed had previously posted… pic.twitter.com/96uy9NubVY
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 31, 2026
Subtle it was not. Then again, nobody has ever confused JD Vance with a politician who needs six consultants, three focus groups and a laminated talking-points card before responding to an attack on his family.
The Michigan race is shaping up as a major test of competing visions heading into the midterms. El-Sayed is attempting to hold together a Democratic coalition after a bruising primary, while Rogers and Republicans are working to make the contest a referendum on national Democratic politics, public safety, antisemitism and cultural division.
Vance’s message was that Americans should reject politicians who view citizens primarily through racial, religious or ethnic blocs rather than as members of the same country.
Whether Michigan voters agree will be decided at the ballot box. But Vance clearly intends to make sure they know exactly what he believes is at stake.
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