Rogers and El-Sayed meet in final Michigan U.S. Senate debate

WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7 posted the full final Michigan U.S. Senate debate to YouTube under the title "Michigan U.S. Senate Final Debate: Mike Rogers vs Abdul El-Sayed." The channel’s own description calls it the complete face-off between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed for the open seat.

The debate took place Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at the station’s studios in Southfield, 12 days before Election Day. An AP photo caption shows the two candidates shaking hands afterward. The Center Square reported that the economy, health care, the war with Iran and immigration dominated the exchange as both men made closing arguments in one of the nation’s most competitive contests.

El-Sayed repeatedly tied Rogers to President Donald Trump. “We need to turn the page on Donald Trump, but that means we need to stand up to Donald Trump,” he said. Rogers dismissed the line as empty. “There’s nothing behind it. Matter of fact, when his new Democrat Socialist-aligned policies are engaged, money in your pocket – you’ll be lucky to have a damn pair of pants when you’re done,” Rogers replied. El-Sayed pressed further on the Iran conflict: “Donald Trump is on the ballot through Mike Rogers. They are hip to hip on this war, and you are paying the cost.” He also said Rogers stood with Trump on immigration enforcement and added, “I believe that we don’t need ICE.”

Rogers answered that the state could not absorb his opponent’s agenda. “We cannot afford Adbul El-Sayed’s policies and we cannot risk his ideology,” he said. He accused El-Sayed of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and of misleading voters about his medical background. El-Sayed denied any Brotherhood connection, citing his mother, a nurse in Missouri. When Rogers tried to interrupt, El-Sayed shot back, “I’m talking. I am talking. I’m talking. Excuse me,” while pointing a finger, according to NBC News. He continued: “To bring into question my commitment to the Constitution is really beneath you. I am proud of America. I’m proud to be an American.”

Speaking to reporters after the debate, Rogers denied Islamophobia and repeated the Brotherhood claim. “This is not about the way you pray; it’s the way you think. The Muslim Brotherhood is not accepted in the Muslim community. That’s why it’s banned in five Muslim countries,” he said, Michigan Public Radio Network reported. The network noted he has offered no evidence of such ties. On ICE, Rogers praised the agency’s focus on serious criminals; an analysis of federal data cited in local coverage found more than 70 percent of people in ICE detention have no criminal record.