Michigan Senate Nominee ElSayed Deleted Over 100 YouTube Videos

Abdul ElSayed, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, removed more than 100 videos from his public YouTube account before launching his campaign, according to a CNN investigation published on August 11, 2026. The deleted content, spanning from 2022 to 2024, included commentary where ElSayed questioned the value of Fourth of July fireworks, floated replacing the Second Amendment with a right to healthcare, and criticized Republican focus on border security. His campaign stated the archived remarks do not reflect his current positions.

The videos were brought to light shortly after ElSayed narrowly won the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026, defeating establishment candidate Rep. Haley Stevens. He will now face former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in the November general election, a race with significant implications for control of the U.S. Senate. According to a RealClearPolling average, the contest is extremely close, with Rogers holding a razor-thin lead.

Among the removed videos, a July 2024 clip featured ElSayed urging Americans to "find another way to celebrate the Fourth of July," arguing that fireworks were harmful due to air pollution, chemical contents,...