Transcript: Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Sept. 13, 2026

September 13, 2026 / 10:03 AM EDT / CBS News

The following is the transcript of the interview with Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Sept. 13, 2026.

WEIJIA JIANG: We go now to Michigan's Democratic nominee for Senate, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. He joins us from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Good morning, Dr. El-Sayed. Welcome to Face the Nation.

ABDUL EL-SAYED : Good morning, Weija. Thanks for having me.

WEIJIA JIANG: So, I do want to ask you about AI, but let's talk first about the RNC convention because you were a main character. Several speakers mentioned you. Everyone from the president, the vice president, your opponent Mike Rogers, to the Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. Here's what he said.

SPEAKER JOHNSON: We know who the Mamdanis and the El-Sayeds are, but it's the Democrats in the swing seats who say one thing and then join forces and vote with the socialists that they're afraid of. That is the dangerous part. They're the ones who have let the barbarians inside the gate.

WEIJIA JIANG: What do you make of Republicans focusing so much attention on you?

DR. EL-SAYED: Well…

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