At the end of August, Abdul El-Sayed joined Jesse Watters on Fox News to discuss his policy positions, including the Green New Deal. El-Sayed clearly didn't know what the bill calls for, because he seemed surprised to learn the bill would ban the internal combustion engine.
Or was he?
Because in a 2016 speech, El-Sayed was pretty clear that he wanted to get rid of our cars, calling them "the modern-day cigarette."
Abdul El-Sayed thinks “cars are the modern-day cigarette”
— Senate Republicans (@NRSC) September 22, 2026
He is a Green New Deal socialist who wants to completely dismantle Michigan’s auto industry. pic.twitter.com/cWBeTj2ZAi
Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed agreed that “cars are the modern-day cigarette” during a 2016 speech in Boston, adding to a series of past remarks criticizing everything from American football to Fourth of July fireworks.
El-Sayed, who was serving as director of the Detroit Health Department at the time, made the remark while discussing the auto industry’s role in Detroit.
“Detroit is Motown. It’ll also be the Motor City,” El-Sayed said. “Cars are a big deal in Detroit whether or not you like them.”
“One person made an argument to me that I probably agree with,” he continued. “Cars are the modern-day cigarette. They’re just like this, like, why do we do it this way?”
Despite his antipathy toward automobiles, the Wayne County firebrand received the United Autoworkers of America endorsement last June.
Earlier in the speech, El-Sayed argued Detroit’s development around the automobile helped shape the city.
“Who built Detroit? The Fords, the Sloans, right? The Dodges of the world,” El-Sayed said. “And what did they want to tell everybody? You can have a car and have a great life, right? So they built the entire city around the car. That’s why Detroit looks like this now.”
Democrats will ban our cars if they get the chance.
Automotive enthusiasts, car collectors, racers, and automobile business owners ought NEVER to vote for any of @TheDemocrats. They’ve proven hundreds of times to be our enemies. @AbdulElSayed is just typical of them.
— John E Gatliff II (@LawyerGatMAREJD) September 22, 2026
Bank on that.
Michigan if you are a Union member Abdul is not your friend, #MIpol #MIsen #MIgov.
— Subliminal7 (@Subliminal73) September 22, 2026
How can unions endorse a man who will destroy their jobs?
America is suffering. Our cities are a mess. We have the most retarded people in charge of blue areas. The USA is so rich and has provided lovely lives for millions. Kick out democrats who cling to power by making humans suffer. They will never help you.
— Choose Life (@CaitieCat1877) September 23, 2026
The suffering and destruction are the point.
I don’t get it, Michigan. He’s awful. https://t.co/wQ0CExWmGR
— The🎃FOO (@PolitiBunny) September 22, 2026
He's absolutely awful.
Sounds pretty disqualifying for a candidate running for U.S. Senate in…
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) September 22, 2026
*checks notes*
…Michigan. https://t.co/83Qjx7ECb3
Much in the way David Crowley doesn't understand Wisconsin, El-Sayed doesn't understand Michigan. At all.
In what universe does @ShawnFainUAW endorse a candidate in MICHIGAN who equates our auto industry with cigarettes?
— Mike Rogers (@MikeRogersForMI) September 23, 2026
The @UAW needs a new president, and Michigan needs a new U.S. Senator in Washington. https://t.co/uILYgOHgAa
Yes. Yes to all of this.
Modern cars are not only fuel-efficient, but also the biggest tool for freedom of movement we have. It's what allows us to live in rural areas and away from the Democrat-controlled blue city cesspools. It allows us to travel the country freely, go to the store when we want to, and avoid the dangers of public transportation.
That's why Democrats hate them. Not because of the environment, but because it takes away their control.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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