Oh, this is absolutely delicious. Abdul El-Sayed, who is currently running for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat, just got caught in the most awkward political blunder imaginable. A clip from a 2020 documentary has resurfaced, and it shows the candidate openly trashing one of Michigan's most beloved vacation destinations.
As Trending Politics reported, footage from the film "How To Fix A Primary" captures El-Sayed strolling along Mackinac Island, passing horse carriages, and dropping this gem for all the world to hear.
"I hate Mackinac so much," he blurted out while walking toward the Grand Hotel. Yes, you read that correctly. A man seeking statewide office in Michigan just told everyone he despises a place that Michiganders absolutely adore.
But wait, it gets even better. He then mused about what would happen if he had won the 2018 governor's race, noting that Mackinac Island serves as the official summer residence for Michigan's chief executive. "It's funny cause, like, if we win, this is gonna be, like, the summer home," he said. Then he added with a mocking laugh, "Every time I've ever come here, I've hated it. Why am I here?"
Here's where the irony really kicks in. USA Today readers crowned Mackinac Island the Best Summer Travel Destination in 2025. So this guy essentially went on camera and told millions of people that their favorite getaway spot is his personal nightmare.
The clip, which was spotted by The Midwesterner, makes things extra spicy when you consider that El-Sayed was spotted at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference just this past May, apparently schmoozing with business leaders and politicians on the very island he publicly despises. Talk about a political about-face!
The documentary itself followed his failed 2018 gubernatorial campaign, during which he ran against Gretchen Whitmer in the Democratic primary. According to the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, El-Sayed entered that contest with quite the resume. He's a Detroit native, a Rhodes scholar, a former city health director, and an Ivy League professor. He even snagged an endorsement from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and refused PAC contributions while pushing for statewide "Medicare for All."
The festival's description attributed his loss to several factors, including "Islamophobia," challenges to his eligibility, an opponent with deep corporate funding, and a self-funded rival who poured millions into advertising.
Now he's gunning for a Senate seat, and this old footage could not have resurfaced at a worse time. Imagine trying to win over voters across Michigan while a video circulates of you bashing the state's crown jewel tourist destination. Campaign strategists everywhere are probably screaming into their pillows right now.
Good luck explaining this one on the trail, Abdul.
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