Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered a stunning rebuke of Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, publicly condemning his controversial views on Israel just days before voters head to the polls.
The California Democrat’s remarks came during an appearance on the On Brand podcast, where host Donny Deutsch raised concerns about growing antisemitism within the Democratic Party.
Rather than defending her party’s Senate nominee, Pelosi offered a sharp condemnation.
“No, it’s more than concerning. It’s wrong. It’s wrong, and it isn’t a reflection of the Democrats in the Congress of the United States. This new person in Michigan, we’ll see if he gets elected to the Congress.”
The remarks marked another uncomfortable moment for El-Sayed, whose campaign against Republican Mike Rogers has been dogged by controversy over his positions on Israel and concerns among Jewish voters.
Deutsch, who is Jewish, opened the discussion by expressing frustration with the direction of certain factions within the Democratic Party.
“It’s hard and sad and it’s upsetting to see so much of what’s going on in the Democratic Party as a Jewish man, it’s almost unbelievable,” Deutsch said. “When you say Israel doesn’t have the right to be a Jewish state, that’s antisemitic as far as I’m concerned.”
🚨 Pelosi rips Abdul El-Sayed, says his views on Israel are “more than concerning”:
“This new person in Michigan, we’ll see if he gets elected.” https://t.co/zRtjdLvfPx
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 30, 2026
When Pelosi requested a specific example, Deutsch pointed directly to El-Sayed, saying the Michigan candidate “doesn’t believe they should be a Jewish state.”
Pelosi’s response was immediate, describing the position as unacceptable and distancing congressional Democrats from it.
The exchange comes at a politically sensitive moment for El-Sayed, who has faced repeated questions about his criticism of Israel and his willingness to confront antisemitism.
POLL: Should Abdul El-Sayed Condemn The Muslim Brotherhood?
The Democratic nominee has characterized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as a “genocide” and previously questioned whether the country should be considered an American ally.
He has also rejected the suggestion that criticism of Israel’s government automatically constitutes antisemitism.
During an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, El-Sayed was asked whether he disputed Israel’s right to exist.
“I do not. I just dispute the idea that you should have an ethnostate,” he responded.
That distinction has not ended the controversy, particularly among voters who believe his position challenges Israel’s identity as a Jewish state.
El-Sayed has previously insisted that protecting Jewish Americans remains a priority.
“My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own kids. We have a responsibility to take on antisemitism in all of its forms wherever we see it,” he told Morning Joe in August.
Nevertheless, Nancy Pelosi‘s criticism illustrated the divisions confronting Democrats as they attempt to unite behind their nominee in one of the country’s most closely watched Senate contests.
Her office subsequently issued a statement clarifying that, despite their disagreements, Pelosi supports El-Sayed’s election.
“Speaker Emerita Pelosi urges everyone in Michigan and across America to support Abdul El-Sayed and help elect him to the United States Senate.
“While they may disagree on some issues, she is united with him in the fight to lower costs, protect healthcare and defend our democracy. The stakes in this election could not be higher, and she believes all Democrats must come together to win back the Congress and deliver for the American people.”
The clarification underscored the party’s challenge: confronting disagreements over Israel while maintaining support for its candidates ahead of Election Day.
Meanwhile, Mike Rogers has continued his campaign against El-Sayed in Michigan, a battleground state President Donald Trump carried by 1.4 percentage points in 2024.
Recent polling has shown a competitive contest.
A CNN survey released Thursday found El-Sayed receiving 49% support compared with Rogers’ 42% among 786 likely voters surveyed Oct. 20-27. The poll carried a margin of error of 4.7 percentage points.
Another survey conducted by Insider Advantage showed a much tighter race, with El-Sayed at 47% and Rogers at 46%.
The Oct. 21-22 poll surveyed 1,200 likely voters and reported a 2.83-percentage-point margin of error.
A Marist survey conducted Oct. 15-18 placed El-Sayed at 50% and Rogers at 48% among 1,185 likely voters.
With the election approaching, Pelosi’s remarks have added another complication to a Democratic campaign already facing scrutiny over Israel and divisions within its own coalition.
Although the former speaker ultimately reaffirmed her support for El-Sayed, her public criticism left little ambiguity about her disagreement with the Michigan candidate’s position.
