Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has delivered a striking critique of Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate nominee from Michigan, regarding his contentious views on Israel, just as primary voters prepare to cast their ballots.
Speaking on the On Brand podcast, Pelosi responded to host Donny Deutsch’s concerns about rising antisemitism within the Democratic ranks. Instead of offering support for her party’s nominee, she sharply distanced herself.
“No, it’s more than concerning. It’s wrong. It’s wrong, and it isn’t a reflection of the Democrats in the Congress of the United States. This new person in Michigan, we’ll see if he gets elected to the Congress,” Pelosi stated.
This incident highlights a problematic moment for El-Sayed, who has faced scrutiny over his stance on Israel and potential backlash from Jewish voters.
Deutsch, identifying as Jewish, voiced his distress regarding some factions within the Democratic Party. He lamented, “It’s hard and sad and it’s upsetting to see so much of what’s going on in the Democratic Party as a Jewish man, it’s almost unbelievable. When you say Israel doesn’t have the right to be a Jewish state, that’s antisemitic as far as I’m concerned.”
Pelosi rips Abdul El-Sayed, says his views on Israel are “more than concerning”:
“This new person in Michigan, we’ll see if he gets elected.” https://t.co/zRtjdLvfPx
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 30, 2026
When pressed for an example of this sentiment, Deutsch pointed to El-Sayed, asserting that he “doesn’t believe they should be a Jewish state.” Pelosi promptly rejected this view, emphasizing its unacceptability and reinforcing that it does not represent Congressional Democrats.
The timing of this exchange is particularly notable for El-Sayed, who has repeatedly faced inquiries regarding his criticisms of Israel and his readiness to tackle antisemitism head-on.
POLL: Should Abdul El-Sayed Condemn The Muslim Brotherhood?
El-Sayed has labeled Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “genocide” and has questioned whether the nation should still be regarded as an American ally.
Moreover, he does not buy into the idea that criticism of Israel’s administration equates to antisemitism.
During a dialogue with journalist Mehdi Hasan, El-Sayed clarified, “I do not. I just dispute the idea that you should have an ethnostate.”
This distinction has not alleviated concerns, especially among those who feel it challenges Israel’s identity as a Jewish state.
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El-Sayed maintains that his commitment to Jewish Americans’ protection is paramount, stating, “My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own kids.”
Despite this, Pelosi’s denunciation demonstrates the fractures within the Democratic Party as they strive to rally behind their candidate in one of the nation’s most critical Senate races.
Afterward, Pelosi’s office clarified her stance, reinforcing her support for El-Sayed, albeit with some reservations. “Speaker Emerita Pelosi urges everyone in Michigan and across America to support Abdul El-Sayed and help elect him to the United States Senate. While they may disagree on some issues, she is united with him in the fight to lower costs, protect healthcare, and defend our democracy.”
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This clarification sheds light on the uphill battle the party faces: addressing disagreements over Israel while striving to back its candidates going into the election.
As Mike Rogers continues his campaign against El-Sayed in Michigan, a battleground state that President Donald Trump won by a narrow margin in 2024, the race appears to be tightening. Recent polling indicates El-Sayed’s support at 49%, just ahead of Rogers at 42%, with a margin of error of 4.7 points.
Another poll showed El-Sayed at 47% and Rogers at 46%, highlighting the competitive nature of this contest.
As Election Day looms, Pelosi’s remarks introduce another layer of complexity to a Democratic campaign already facing internal scrutiny related to Israel.
Even as she reaffirmed support for El-Sayed, Pelosi’s public disapproval clearly articulated her disagreement with the nominee’s perspective.
