Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed had a tense encounter with Sky News reporter James Matthews just hours before winning his Senate race on Tuesday. At one point, El-Sayed placed his hands on the reporter’s shoulders.
As Matthews approached, El-Sayed asked whether he was registered to vote in Michigan. Matthews said he was not.
“Why would I care to have a conversation with you?” El-Sayed replied.
When Matthews identified himself as a journalist, El-Sayed scoffed and noted that he worked for a U.K. outlet. He said he wanted no votes in Britain and had no plans to run for office there, placing his hands on Matthews’ shoulders as he spoke.
Matthews told El-Sayed the 2026 midterm elections mattered internationally and pointed out that El-Sayed was seeking a seat in the U.S. Senate.
“A senator in where? What country?” El-Sayed asked, again touching Matthews’ shoulders. After Matthews said the United States, El-Sayed asked which country he represented. Matthews said he was based in the U.S.
El-Sayed pressed him about where Sky News’ viewers were, then dismissed the network’s U.S. audience, saying it was not watched in the country and that “like five people” tuned in.
Before walking away, El-Sayed said he had answered questions for viewers in the U.K. and asked Matthews to stop following him. Matthews denied that he was chasing El-Sayed.
Sky News said Matthews had repeatedly tried to interview El-Sayed. The two had another strained exchange on Monday, when Matthews asked about Michigan Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens’ decision to endorse Republican rival Mike Rogers. El-Sayed warned him, “If you keep being in my way, I’m not going to be very happy.”
Sky News said it supported Matthews, describing his questions as straightforward and part of his coverage of the election. The network added that U.S. election results can have consequences beyond the country, including in the U.K.
El-Sayed’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
El-Sayed, who had several tense exchanges with reporters in the weeks before the midterms, defeated Rogers in a closely watched Senate race. Republicans had hoped to win the seat. Democrats also took control of both the House and Senate in Tuesday’s elections, dealing Republicans a significant setback.
