A spokesperson for Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign confirmed that a recent comment by an aide comparing Mike Rogers’ patriotic advertisement to a Ku Klux Klan cross-burning does not reflect the campaign’s official stance.
The ad, featuring Rogers in a bright red antique Ford truck with two U.S. flags fluttering behind while playing Toby Keith’s song “American Ride,” drew criticism from El-Sayed’s political manager, Mason Pressler. In a social media post, Pressler described the video as evoking “the aesthetics of a 1960s white flight suburb and a KKK cross burning.” Rogers himself praised the ad on social media with the caption: “Gotta love this American Ride! There’s no better way to do the Woodward Dream Cruise!”
El-Sayed’s communications director, Roxie Richner, addressed the controversy in an email to Fox News, noting that Pressler’s posts are personal opinions and not representative of the campaign. The Rogers campaign swiftly countered by accusing El-Sayed of endorsing such rhetoric, stating: “Is it your official campaign position that old Ford pickups are akin to the KKK? That’s the statement your staff is making.”
El-Sayed, who became the first Muslim nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan and has faced scrutiny over past far-left associations, previously argued that the Second Amendment should be revoked and likened former President Donald Trump to Osama bin Laden. He also has been linked to extremist Hasan Piker, who has publicly claimed America “deserved” the 9/11 terror attacks and advocates violence under communist ideology.
While El-Sayed’s nomination victory in Michigan is viewed by some as a win for progressive factions within the Democratic Party, polling indicates he did not compete as effectively against Rogers as the establishment candidate he defeated.
