During a televised debate on July 27, 2026, Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed clarified that his comment about putting the head of an 'ogre' on a pike was directed at U.S. Senator John Fetterman, not his opponent, Haley Stevens. The remark originated from a Zoom meeting, where El-Sayed stated, 'Ideally you put one ogre on a pike, and then everyone else gets the message, and all of a sudden [it] starts to sound a lot different.' This debate was the final one before the state's primary on August 4.
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Abdul El-Sayed Clarifies 'Ogre' Remark During Debate
Abdul El-Sayed, a candidate for the Michigan Senate, clarified during a debate that his controversial 'ogre' comment was aimed at Senator John Fetterman, not rival Haley Stevens. The statement was made during a Zoom meeting and has drawn attention ahead of the upcoming primary.
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Michigan progressive Abdul El-Sayed says ‘ogre’ remark not directed at rival
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Abdul El-Sayed Clarifies 'Ogre' Remark During Debate