Michigan candidate faces alleged racial attacks, backed by socialist Mayor

Mamdani told WNYC that El-Sayed’s Senate campaign against former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) is challenging, particularly given the alleged “blatantly racist attacks” and perceived inaction from others. He drew a parallel to his own mayoral race.

“A race of that magnitude is difficult enough as it is; to have to contend with blatantly racist attacks on a regular basis, and the silence of so many around him in the face of that — that is immensely difficult,” Mamdani stated. He acknowledged the difficulty of responding to such attacks while simultaneously progressing in the campaign.

While President Trump and Rogers have focused their criticism on El-Sayed’s alleged connection to the Muslim Brotherhood, not his race, El-Sayed has also faced scrutiny over research he authored during his time at Columbia Medical School. One paper, published in 2011 in the “Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health,” suggested that Arab women should only reproduce within their ethnic group to achieve optimal health outcomes for their children, citing risks associated with “interethnic mating.”

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tx.) criticized the research as “science” with a “pre-ordained racist & eugenics outcome.”

The discussion also touched on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) support for El-Sayed, who advocates for Medicare for All and opposes US aid to Israel. Both Mamdani and El-Sayed have associations with Linda Sarsour. AOC recently launched a nationwide fundraising appeal, potentially benefiting from socialist victories. When asked about AOC’s potential presidential ambitions, Mamdani responded, “I want to see AOC do whatever it is that AOC wants to do.”