Abdul El-Sayed’s tense exchanges with reporters draw renewed attention after viral confrontation

Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, a Michigan Democrat, drew widespread attention this week after a heated encounter with a reporter. The incident has renewed scrutiny of his often-confrontational exchanges with journalists.

Hours before winning Tuesday’s midterm election, El-Sayed clashed with Sky News correspondent James Matthews. It was not the first time he had interrupted a reporter, responded sharply or appeared to lose his temper during questioning.

Tim Young, a media fellow at the Heritage Foundation, acknowledged that President Donald Trump has also frequently criticized journalists. But Young argued that the two men’s reactions to the press are different.

“El-Sayed gets angry when the media asks direct questions about him and his connections to groups like the Muslim Brotherhood,” Young said. “He doesn’t want to answer, so he snaps.”

Young said Trump, by contrast, becomes angry after what he sees as repeated attempts to shape a narrative about him, followed by coverage he considers false.

Several recent exchanges with journalists

In one recent exchange, El-Sayed rebuked a reporter who asked about Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, sarcastically saying, “You’re really asking the questions that the people want to hear.” He followed up by telling the reporter to ask a serious question.

In October, El-Sayed also grew frustrated during an interview with NBC anchor Tom Llamas, who asked about allegations concerning his family’s links to the Muslim Brotherhood.

El-Sayed pointed to his Michigan upbringing and public service, then challenged Llamas for asking about events in Egypt in 1970. He accused the anchor of relying on hearsay from a social media post and questioned whether Llamas was suggesting he had lied.

That month, El-Sayed declined to discuss leaked audio in which he reportedly made private comments about Michigan residents mourning the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. He said he was willing to talk about issues such as gas prices and groceries, but accused Free Press reporter Audrey Fahlberg of pursuing clickbait.

“I’m just not interested in this dog and pony show,” he said. “Ask smart questions.”

Fahlberg argued that his remarks about Khamenei were relevant because he often discusses foreign policy. El-Sayed did not engage with the question. Fahlberg later said he appeared to become angry when asked about Iran’s government.

Weeks later, El-Sayed repeatedly interrupted Fox News anchor Bret Baier during a discussion about the Muslim Brotherhood.

He has also talked about taking on media personalities directly. In a September interview with Chuck Todd, El-Sayed criticized comments Bill Maher had made about people like him, then said he would appear on Maher’s show and wanted viewers to see him challenge the host.

Viral Election Day encounter

The latest confrontation began when El-Sayed approached Matthews and 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 explained that he was a journalist, El-Sayed noted that he worked for a British network. He said he was not seeking votes in the United Kingdom and, while placing both hands on Matthews’ shoulders, asked why he should speak with him.

Matthews said the U.S. election mattered internationally and pointed out that El-Sayed was running for the Senate. El-Sayed asked which country Matthews meant. The reporter said he was based in the United States, prompting El-Sayed to ask where his viewers were.

After Matthews explained that Sky News has an international audience, El-Sayed dismissed the network’s U.S. viewership, saying it was not watched in the country and that “like five people” watched it there.

El-Sayed then said he had answered questions for viewers in the United Kingdom and asked Matthews to stop following him. Matthews denied that he was chasing El-Sayed. El-Sayed warned that he would not be happy if the reporter continued to get in his way.

Video of the encounter spread quickly online, with several commentators criticizing El-Sayed for touching Matthews. Broadcaster Piers Morgan described the conduct as patronizing, while former Israeli spokesperson Eylon Levy called El-Sayed a bully. Other critics also condemned the exchange.

Communications trainer Jocelin Martinez, who works with clients on media skills and messaging, said she did not think El-Sayed needed to change his approach. She argued that his forceful style had helped him win Michigan’s Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers, in a contest Republicans had hoped to flip.

“The moment calls for leadership with gumption,” Martinez said.