Centrist Democrats dismiss Abdul El-Sayed as a freak radical. Do they want to win in 2028 or not? | Nesrine Malik
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-08-10 00:00:00 — www.theguardian.com
Trump Attacks Progressive Senate Nominee Abdul El-Sayed, Calls Him “Full of Shit” and Predicts “Death, Squalor, Poverty”
In the wake of Abdul El-Sayed’s historic victory in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, Donald Trump has launched a series of disparaging attacks against the progressive candidate. Trump labeled El-Sayed and similar progressive contenders as “full of shit,” and claimed they are “radical commies who will bring nothing but ‘death, squalor, poverty’ and ‘a life of hell’.”
Trump’s Pattern of Disparagement
Trump’s comments fit a longstanding pattern of using inflammatory language to discredit political opponents, particularly those on the progressive left. By branding El-Sayed and others as extreme radicals, Trump seeks to stoke fear among voters and frame progressive policies as dangerous experiments. This rhetoric is not new; Trump has repeatedly used similar language to describe Democratic candidates he opposes, regardless of their actual policy positions or backgrounds.
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims
There is no evidence to support Trump’s assertion that candidates like El-Sayed would bring “death, squalor, poverty,” or “a life of hell.” In fact, El-Sayed’s campaign has focused on issues such as affordable healthcare, reducing corporate influence in politics, and advocating for working families—positions that are widely supported among many voters, especially in swing states like Michigan.
Trump’s use of the term “radical commies” is also a distortion. While El-Sayed and other progressive Democrats advocate for policies that challenge corporate power and expand social programs, labeling them as communists is inaccurate and misleading. These candidates operate within the framework of American democracy and seek reforms through the legislative process.
The Broader Political Context
Trump’s attacks come at a time when the Democratic Party is experiencing a shift, with more outsider candidates challenging establishment figures and winning key primaries. El-Sayed’s victory, despite being massively outspent by corporate-backed opponents, signals a growing appetite among voters for candidates who are not beholden to special interests.
However, Trump’s rhetoric—amplified by Republican allies and some centrist Democrats—aims to paint these progressive victories as threats to the country’s stability. This narrative is designed to energize Trump’s base and sow doubt among undecided voters.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s response to Abdul El-Sayed’s primary win is emblematic of his broader strategy: attack, exaggerate, and distort the positions of political opponents. While Trump claims that progressive candidates will bring disaster, there is no factual basis for these assertions. Instead, El-Sayed’s victory represents a challenge to entrenched interests and a call for a more inclusive and responsive democracy. As the 2024 election cycle heats up, voters will have to decide whether to accept Trump’s dire warnings or consider the actual records and proposals of the candidates on the ballot.