Michigan’s Democratic Senate nominee, Dr. Abdul El‑Sayed, used his X account on Saturday to lampoon Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, targeting the media personality’s physique and fitness after Portnoy labeled the candidate a “terrorist.” El‑Sayed posted a short video of Portnoy sprinting on a turf field with the caption, “Meanwhile, here’s [Portnoy] committing an act of athletic terrorism. Less pizza, more gym, habibi.”
Origins of the exchange
The dispute began when El‑Sayed, a University of Michigan alumnus, posted a clip in which he joked, “Is Michigan going to win a game without cheating? I say this as a Wolverine.” Portnoy responded, “This guy really is a terrorist.” The remark quickly spread across social media, prompting Republican Senate candidate former Rep. Mike Rogers to share Portnoy’s post and write, “Portnoy is exactly right.”
Political context
Rogers’ spokeswoman, Alyssa Brouillet, told The Detroit News that Rogers was merely “parroting Ohio State talking points,” a jab at the rival school’s fan base. The clash comes amid the broader fallout from Michigan’s football sign‑stealing scandal. In August 2025, the NCAA imposed multimillion‑dollar penalties, recruiting restrictions and four additional years of probation on the program for an impermissible scouting scheme involving former staffer Connor Stalions. Earlier violations under former coach Jim Harbaugh and former coach Rich Rodriguez were also cited.
El‑Sayed’s broader controversies
Beyond the football feud, El‑Sayed has faced criticism for his handling of questions about Iran’s regime and Islamist organizations. At a September town‑hall, Iranian‑American student Iman Dashti asked El‑Sayed to condemn the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Islamic Republic. El‑Sayed replied that he opposed American‑led regime change and emphasized that Iran’s people should determine their own government, drawing fire for not directly denouncing the regime.
During an October 5 interview with Fox News host Martha MacCallum, El‑Sayed was asked whether he supported terrorist designations for Muslim Brotherhood groups in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. He answered that he would support designating organizations engaged in political violence, without specifically naming the Brotherhood.
Stance on terrorism and war crimes
El‑Sayed has publicly condemned Hamas, calling its actions “war crimes” on “The Jim Acosta Show.” He also accused Israel of committing war crimes and genocide, a position that has drawn criticism from both sides of the political aisle.
Football culture criticism
In an October 2021 essay, El‑Sayed described “toxic masculinity at the heart of America’s most popular sport” as a deeper issue than the emails that led to former Raiders coach Jon Gruden’s resignation. He recounted personal experiences of racist taunting in locker rooms and urged coaches to address the underlying culture of racism, homophobia and misogyny in football.
What’s next?
The social‑media spat is unlikely to change the dynamics of the upcoming Senate race, but it underscores the increasingly personal nature of political discourse in Michigan. Both candidates remain focused on their campaign messages: El‑Sayed on health‑care reform and economic opportunity, and Rogers on traditional values and fiscal responsibility.
Voters in the Great Lakes state will have the final say in November, when they decide whether to send a Democrat or a Republican to Washington to represent Michigan’s interests.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
