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Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on Sunday described the American political system as a “disease” after saying he loves the country he grew up in.
El-Sayed launched a scathing attack on the American political system during the final stop of “The People v. The Powerful” tour at the DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids.
He spoke at this event alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt., as the trio criticized President Donald Trump, party leaders, organizations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The African American doctor and former public health official first reflected on the opportunities America offered him, noting that he received an “amazing” public university education and medical education sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.
DEM SENATE ABDUL EL-SAYED IN SENTEMBI DESCRIBES HITTING A BOTTLE OF VODKA AFTER CRITICISM OF THE DOGS.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y., from left, Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt., speaks during “The People v. The Powerful” campaign event at the Detroit Opera House in Detroit on July 18, 2026. (Nic Antaya/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“No, don't get it wrong. I love America. I know exactly what America gave me. I know what my life would be like, but in America,” said El-Sayed. “I know what America can do, and at the same time, it's impossible not to think about the worst times of those 250 years.”
He went on to say that Trump was merely a symptom of wider problems in American politics.
“Donald Trump is not, in himself, the disease of our politics. He is the worst symptom of the disease of our politics,” said El-Sayed.
“A disease? It's a system that allows corporations and billionaires and special interests like AIPAC to buy and sell politicians to cover up the system.”
Ocasio-Cortez echoed that message minutes earlier, telling the crowd, “You deserve the politics that cures this disease, not the symptoms.”
BILL MAHER CALLS OUT BERNIE SANDERS, SAYS HE'S TIRED OF HEARTING THE RICH ARE NOT PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAXES.
Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks at “The People v. The Powerful” rally at the Detroit Opera House on July 18, 2026, in Detroit. (Sarah Rice/Getty Images)
El-Sayed then addressed the nation's health care system, saying the medical debt should be eliminated and its costs compared to government spending on political campaigns and foreign aid.
“Medical debt shouldn't exist,” he said, saying the nation's estimated $225 billion in medical debt could be wiped out by about $2.25 billion because it could be bought “for pennies on the dollar.”
He later focused on ICE, calling it a “rogue organization” that should not exist.
“ICE has nothing to do with immigration. ICE has nothing to do with the southern border. ICE is about normalizing our streets. ICE is about arming the idea of immigration against the Constitution itself. ICE cannot be reformed. ICE cannot be retrained. ICE must be abolished.”
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders joined Abdul El-Sayed during the final stop of “The People v. The Powerful” tour at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. (Drew Anger/Getty Images)
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The Senate hopeful also described himself as a “danger” to a variety of politicians and corporations, including health insurers and Democratic leaders.
“If you're Blue Cross Blue Shield, I'm dangerous,” he said. “If you're Chuck Schumer, trading politicians like trading cards, I'm dangerous.”
