Tucker Carlson endorses Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate contest

Fox News host Tucker Carlson wrote in his newsletter on Friday that Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers is unfit for office and defended Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, who has faced criticism for past remarks about the War on Terror. Carlson argued that El-Sayed’s comments, which questioned the U.S. response to the September 11 attacks, were not celebratory of terrorism but a critique of policy. He described the attacks on El-Sayed’s character as "disgusting" and said the candidate was "obviously right" in his assessment.

The endorsement comes amid a broader wave of right-wing commentary targeting Muslim politicians, including New York mayor Zohran Mamdani, who have been accused of anti-American views linked to their faith. El-Sayed won the Democratic primary for the Michigan Senate seat, which is being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters, and recent polls show him gaining ground over Rogers.

Carlson, a vocal critic of U.S. involvement in Iran, also used the platform to condemn the ongoing war in the region, warning that it could damage the Trump administration’s legacy. His remarks signal a shift in the Republican campaign’s strategy, which had previously portrayed El-Sayed as a radical extremist.

Democrats are aiming to retain the Michigan seat and secure additional victories to regain control of the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.