Abdul El-Sayed Defends Calling Obama a ‘Failure’ as Former President Mounts Campaign Effort: ‘I Was Angry’

Abdul El-Sayed and Barack Obama made headlines this week when the former president backed the Democratic Senate nominee in Michigan. Critics questioned the authenticity of their political alliance after El-Sayed's past criticisms of Obama resurfaced. On "Meet the Press," El-Sayed defended his comments, comparing Obama to his own father.

He acknowledged Obama's difficult circumstances and stated that while he appreciated what Obama accomplished, he also had criticisms, much like his relationship with his father. El-Sayed, then a Columbia University assistant professor, had written critical op-eds about Obama during his younger years, expressing anger over his presidency's failures.

He explained that these were written during a time when he was deeply engaged in politics, and Obama was the first figure who made him believe he could impact the political landscape. Obama's 2004 DNC speech was particularly impactful for El-Sayed, showcasing a political paradigm that resonated with him. El-Sayed will campaign with Obama in Detroit on October 24, accompanied by other Michigan Democratic candidates.