Skip to main content
4 min read

El-Sayed and Rogers toss insults in Michigan Senate debate

El-Sayed challenged Mike Rogers during their Michigan Senate debate and argued for diplomacy on Iran.

El-Sayed and Rogers toss insults in Michigan Senate debate
Image · CBS News

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Outlet credibilityCBS News83/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
CBS News
Oct 8, 2026
tl;dr

Michigan Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers traded insults and argued over foreign policy, immigration, healthcare and economic issues in a closely watched debate. Their exchanges offer voters a contrast between the candidates ahead of the race to replace Gary Peters.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting El-Sayed in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward El-Sayed’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan

Rogers's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President of the United States; endorsed Rogers and is associated with administration policies discussed in the debate

Howard Lutnick
R · Secretary of Commerce

Secretary of Commerce, whom Rogers said he spoke with about a trade deal

Gary C. Peters
D · MI · SEN

Michigan senator whose seat the candidates are contesting

Part of a bigger story

26 OUTLETS
Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers Debate in Michigan Senate Race

Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers held their first debate in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, trading personal attacks and clashing over policy. El-Sayed challenged Rogers and defended his own positions. Left-leaning outlets emphasize El-Sayed’s pushback against Rogers’s attacks and, in some coverage, portray him as composed or focus on campaign challenges. Center outlets largely present a combative exchange of mutual personal attacks and policy clashes, with some checking claims from both candidates. Right-leaning outlets give more weight to Rogers’s attacks and El-Sayed’s positions on Israel, immigration and foreign ties, often portraying El-Sayed critically.

Discussion · 0

What's your take?

Loading comments…