El-Sayed gets a front-row seat at a Black church — and a rough reception

THE DAILY BS: HOW MUCH CAN YOU HANDLE?

SPARE ME THE BS (I’ve got things to do).

Abdul El-Sayed’s Sunday church appearance alongside Rep. Ayanna Pressley drew mockery online as the Michigan Democrat works to consolidate Black support.
A September survey found 83% of likely Black voters wanted Democratic Senate control, but only 67% supported El-Sayed.
His outreach includes a policy plan for Black communities and an upcoming Obama appearance, while Republican Mike Rogers courts dissatisfied Democrats.

LAY IT ON ME (I’ve got time).

Abdul El-Sayed went to church in Flint on Sunday. By Monday, the internet was offering its own testimony — and the reviews were considerably less uplifting.

Footage posted by reporter Shane Goldmacher showed Michigan’s Democratic Senate nominee in the front row alongside Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley. Critics seized on his expression and demeanor, with Tony Shaffer comparing his apparent discomfort to Hillary Clinton attending a Trump rally.

LOL – Oompa Loopa @AbdulElSayed in a church surrounded by black people looks as uncomfortable as @HillaryClinton at a @realdonaldtrump rally…

— Tony Shaffer 🇺🇲☢️ (@tspooky) October 19, 2026

“He’s really losing the black vote, isn’t he? lol!” wrote X user LadyC.

Behind the roasting sits a campaign problem considerably more substantial than an unflattering clip.

El-Sayed won the Democratic nomination statewide but lost Detroit to Rep. Haley Stevens by 28 percentage points. A September Washington Post/Schar School survey found that 83% of likely Black voters wanted Democrats to control the Senate, while 67% backed El-Sayed.

That is quite a gap between liking the party and wanting the particular fellow carrying its flag.

Some voters have been explaining the distinction without assistance from a polling consultant. An MS NOW focus-group participant objected to the assumption that Black Democrats would automatically support the nominee.

“If you’re going to Congress to represent me, I need you to talk about what’s going on in this community,” she said, according to Breitbart.

Michigan Democratic state Rep. Karen Whitsett was blunter about presumed party loyalty, telling Fox News Digital: “It doesn’t change, it’s just different slave owners.”

Democrat state senator Karen Whitsett is fully behind Mike Rogers.

Why? Abdul’s policies are too radical. https://t.co/iMfuJd38UV

— Great Lakes HQ (@GreatLakes_HQ) October 12, 2026

Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has been working that opening. His campaign launched a Democrats for Mike Rogers coalition with Whitsett helping lead the effort, and has advertised support from Black Democrats dissatisfied with El-Sayed.

El-Sayed, meanwhile, is making his own case. His THRIVE proposal targets housing, food access, infrastructure and economic opportunity in Black communities. He points to his work leading Detroit’s and Wayne County’s health departments, and told BridgeDetroit: “You’ve never talked enough to voters.”

Former President Barack Obama is scheduled to campaign for him in Detroit on Oct. 24. Apparently, the Democratic turnout machine is bringing in the premium equipment.

The church footage also prompted a different criticism from Christian commentator Darrell B. Harrison. He argued that predominantly Black churches too readily embrace Democratic candidates without examining how their beliefs square with Christian doctrine.

Between the theological objections, dissatisfied voters and online wisecracks, El-Sayed’s Sunday appearance landed in the middle of a much bigger argument about whether Democrats have earned the support they expect.

The front pew gets you a seat. The voting booth still requires a sale.