Mike Rogers Challenges Abdul El-Sayed’s Claims of Being a Doctor

In Washington, Republican candidate Mike Rogers has criticized his Democratic opponent Abdul El-Sayed, labeling him a “con man” for presenting himself as a doctor despite lacking a medical license. This accusation comes amid ongoing debates regarding their respective qualifications for the Senate seat.

Rogers contended that El-Sayed, who refers to himself as a “doctor,” misleadingly gives voters the impression that he actively practices medicine, though he has only held an internship position. “He’s not really a doctor. He claims to be a physician,” Rogers remarked, adding, “If he attempted to treat a patient, he could face legal consequences.”

The Republican nominee continued, expressing skepticism about El-Sayed’s integrity. “Just listen to what he’s peddling today. You’re going to discover that he’s not who he claims to be. He is, in fact, selling what is probably the best con I’ve ever encountered.”

In response to the criticism, El-Sayed emphasized his educational background, stating that he graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He also pointed out his previous education at the University of Michigan Medical School. However, his only direct patient care experience stems from a brief, four-week internship at a Manhattan hospital, according to various reports.

Still, he introduced himself as a doctor during a recent debate, appealing to voters by saying, “I’m a doctor and I’m a dad. And as a dad, I know how astronomical the cost of filling up my gas tank can be.” El-Sayed has frequently drawn on his medical expertise in discussions about healthcare policy, including roles he’s held as epidemiology professor at Columbia and director of health services in Detroit and Wayne County.

This controversy surrounding El-Sayed’s qualifications surfaced during his primary campaign. On his LinkedIn, he describes himself as a “physician” and “epidemiologist,” though it raises questions about how he justifies this title without a medical license. In a podcast episode, he asserted, “I’ve been a doctor my whole career,” and at one point this year, mentioned observing nurses during critical moments in healthcare.

El-Sayed has consistently downplayed accusations regarding the authenticity of his medical credentials. During the debate, he stated, “I have a medical degree from Columbia University. If he (Rogers) wants to challenge that, he can take it up with them. But this isn’t about me; it’s about whether you can trust your next U.S. senator to stand up to Trump and Trumpism.”

Central to El-Sayed’s campaign is his advocacy for a “Medicare for All” single-payer healthcare system, a stance he supports by referring to his medical degree. In contrast, Rogers criticized this concept as an expensive endeavor that would eliminate Michiganders’ private insurance—something El-Sayed disputes.

The debate marked their first direct confrontation, quickly escalating into a contentious exchange filled with personal jabs as both candidates aimed to outwit each other in responding to moderator questions.

Current polling indicates a closely contested race for the Michigan Senate seat, with El-Sayed enjoying a narrow lead of about 3.2 percentage points over Rogers, according to the latest aggregates.