Left-leaning host Mehdi Hasan recently challenged Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed over his decision to refer to himself as a “doctor” even though he lacks a valid medical license. This exchange occurred during an eager Democratic primary interview.
Hasan pointed out that El-Sayed has faced criticism from opponents for his self-identification as a doctor without holding the necessary state medical licenses in New York or Michigan. “Is it wise to continue using that title given the controversy?” Hasan asked.
In response, El-Sayed stated, “Ultimately, it’s not about whether I have the title of doctor. What really counts is ensuring children receive quality education.”
Hasan replied, “That’s a nice thought, but people will judge its validity.”
El-Sayed, who has a background as a public health professional, defended his achievements, claiming he has positively impacted more individuals through government initiatives than many physicians do in their practices. “As the health director for Detroit, I provided health care to more people and helped alleviate medical debt,” he noted proudly.
Despite his ongoing assertions of being a “doctor” during his campaign, records highlight that El-Sayed has not held a medical license in either state.
During the interview, Hasan also brought up the financial scrutiny El-Sayed is facing from Rep. Haley Stevens and questioned why he requested an extension to disclose his personal finances after the primary. “Was this a way of dodging transparency?” Hasan probed.
El-Sayed noted that the delays stemmed from complexities relating to taxes, particularly regarding overseas properties owned by his wife’s family. “It complicates things,” he explained.
Reports have indicated that El-Sayed filed an extension to postpone his financial disclosure until after the August 4 primary, with responses due on August 13. Meanwhile, Stevens’ campaign emphasized the urgency of El-Sayed’s promise to release this information in a timely manner, raising concerns about what he might be trying to hide.
