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Unearthed clip of El-Sayed revealing his 'hate' for iconic Michigan town sparks online firestorm: 'Dark heart'
By Andrew Miller, Kiera McDonald
Published August 07, 2026
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is facing pushback online over a resurfaced clip in which he says he "hates" arguably the most treasured location in the state.
In the documentary clip from 2020, which resurfaced in a story by The Midwesterner Friday, El-Sayed walks through Michigan’s Mackinac Island during his failed run for governor.
"I hate Mackinac so much," El-Sayed said of one of the state’s most recognizable vacation spots, which sits on an island in Lake Huron between Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsula's.
"It’s funny cause, like, if we win, this is gonna be, like, the summer home," El-Sayed added, referencing the governor’s summer residence on the island.
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The Michigan Democratic Senate nominee is facing criticism online over a resurfaced clip of him saying he hates one of the state's most cherished locations. (Getty Images)
"I’m just gonna be like every time I’ve ever come here. I’ve hated it. Why am I here?"
The clip went viral on social media Thursday with conservatives blasting El-Sayed for looking down on the quaint village town.
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Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed claps during a news conference in front of the Spirit of Detroit statue Aug. 5, 2026, in Detroit. (Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
"The rising stars of the Democrat Party loathe America and seek to destroy it," Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway posted on X. "And unlike their spiritual forebears, they see less of a reason to hide it for political gain. "
"I got engaged on this island," Outkick founder Clay Travis posted on X. "It’s an awesome place. Honestly, I don’t understand how anyone could hate northern Michigan in summer, absolutely beautiful, most underrated spot in the country."
"Wow hating Mackinac!" former Trump advisor Steve Cortes posted on X. "A place that is so iconic to Michigan, to America. Abdul has a dark heart."
"Abdul el-Sayed is a repellent terror-loving anti-Semite--and that's not even the worst thing about him," Commentary Magazine editor John Podhoretz posted on X. "He hates Mackinac Island, one of the most wonderful places on earth. A person who hates Mackinac Island has had his soul ripped from his body."
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Visitors can also take in the sights on Market Street by bike. There are no cars allowed on Mackinac Island. (Getty Images)
"He would rather summer at his property in Dubai," National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesperson Sarah Gallagher posted on X.
"Bro has no soul," On Brand Strategies communications associate Carly Moran posted on X. "It’s literally Heaven on Earth."
"Abdul speaks fondly of his Egyptian summers yet he shows utter disdain for one of Michigan’s most beautiful summer destinations," former Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon told Fox News Digital. "He wants his history to be respected but belittles Michigander’s favorite memories. He doesn’t respect us, and, therefore, he cannot represent us."
"Abdul El-Sayed hot mic: 'I hate Mackinac so much,'" conservative influencer account End Wokeness posted on X. "This is the most American place in MI."
Some, including journalist Brad LaPlante, defended El-Sayed’s comments as being taken "out of context."
"El-Sayed was talking about the Mackinac Policy Conference, an annual gathering of policy pros and insiders that he argues brings together well-connected and powerful people and shuts most voters out of politics," LaPlante wrote.
Others weren't so sure, including Michigan Young Republicans board member James Asher, who responded in a post on X, "Brad, are you dizzy from the way you’re spinning this?"
Mackinac Island is beloved in large part because it has retained a character increasingly rare in American tourist destinations. Motor vehicles have been largely prohibited since the 1890s, leaving visitors to travel by foot, bicycle or the island’s famous horse-drawn carriages.
The island has Victorian homes, historic hotels, waterfront streets, natural scenery and celebrated fudge shops which draw more than a million visitors from around the world each summer, while landmarks such as the Grand Hotel and Fort Mackinac have helped make the island an enduring symbol of Michigan history and culture.
Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed’s campaign for comment but did not receive a response.
El-Sayed responded to the post from End Wokeness on Friday afternoon saying, "Not sure about 'End Wokeness,' but I don’t think the most 'American place in MI' can be a place that…bans cars."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/unearthed-clip-el-sayed-revealing-hate-iconic-michigan-town-sparks-online-firestorm-dark-heart