Obama Endorses El-Sayed in Detroit

Barack Obama delivered his first public endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed on Saturday, speaking to thousands of people at Cass Technical High School in Detroit. The event coincided with the opening day of early voting in Michigan, a state that will hold its general election on 3 November. El-Sayed, a physician and former Wayne County health official, is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate.

Obama positioned El-Sayed as a candidate who will secure affordable healthcare for Americans. He told the audience that El-Sayed would finish the work begun with the Affordable Care Act. The former president also criticized Donald Trump, accusing the current administration of enriching itself and its family members through favors. Obama described the current political culture at the top as focused on selling favors, a practice he claimed he had never seen in such high volume.

The former president mocked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his speech. Obama asked the crowd how much time Hegseth spends looking in the mirror, citing the official’s focus on the jawline and testosterone levels of military personnel. He also targeted Trump’s tariffs, noting that the president was harshest on Canada. Obama referenced the country’s contributions, including Martin Short and maple syrup, while also joking that Trump should appear on home renovation television for his work on the White House.

This Detroit stop was part of Obama’s first weekend of in-person campaigning for the midterms. He began the day in Cleveland, Ohio, where he campaigned for former Senator Sherrod Brown and Governor nominee Amy Acton. Questions had lingered about whether Obama would support El-Sayed given their past disagreements. El-Sayed, a supporter of Medicare for All, previously described the Affordable Care Act as an incremental fix. The two men spoke by phone after the primary, and El-Sayed has referred to Obama as a mentor.

Obama addressed their differences directly on stage. He acknowledged that El-Sayed did not agree with every presidential decision. He used his wife, Michelle Obama, as an example of someone who also disagrees with him on various issues. This public reconciliation marks a shift from the August primary, where Obama stayed on the sidelines while El-Sayed defeated Haley Stevens. Stevens had the backing of the Democratic establishment and pro-Israel organizations.

El-Sayed faces a challenge in Wayne County, where Detroit is located. In the August primary, Stevens won that region with 51 percent of the vote compared to El-Sayed’s 45 percent. Obama last campaigned in Detroit in October 2024 for Kamala Harris. The city is more than three-quarters Black. Harris appeared with El-Sayed in the city last month, adding to the momentum for the Senate race.

Republicans have not held a Michigan Senate seat in 25 years, but they view this race as a strong opportunity for a pickup. El-Sayed’s opponent is Mike Rogers, a former congressman endorsed by Trump. Rogers lost a close Senate race against Elissa Slotkin in 2024 by less than half a percentage point. The Cook Political Report rates the contest a toss-up. A mid-October Marist poll showed El-Sayed at 50 percent and Rogers at 48 percent, a difference within the margin of error. RealClearPolitics data shows El-Sayed leading by approximately 2.6 points.

Slotkin, a featured speaker at the rally, emphasized the importance of electing candidates who fight for their constituents. She noted that she and El-Sayed agree on more issues than they disagree on. Their shared goal, she stated, is to place a check and balance on the White House. Trump has attacked El-Sayed during the campaign, calling him a jihadist and alleging ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, which El-Sayed denies. If elected, El-Sayed would be the first Muslim and first Egyptian American in the U.S. Senate.

Trump is scheduled to visit Michigan on Sunday for a rally in Port Huron. The event will be his first presidential visit to St. Clair County. El-Sayed’s Democratic rival for governor, Jocelyn Benson, appeared alongside Obama in Detroit. Benson faces Republican congressman John James, who would become Michigan’s first Black governor if he wins. Obama concluded his speech by emphasizing the value of ensuring every person has a fair shot in society.