From India Today · India Today World Desk · · 1m 20s
Abdul El-Sayed snaps at UK journalist
Michigan senator-elect questions British reporter's right to interview him after midterms win.
In brief
Michigan senator-elect questions British reporter's right to interview him after midterms win. Abdul El-Sayed refused to answer questions from a British journalist who couldn't vote in Michigan, sparking criticism from Piers Morgan. Originally reported by India Today.
El-Sayed's midterms win
Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed defeated Trump-backed Republican Mike Rogers in midterm elections to become the first Muslim American elected to the US Senate.
El-Sayed questions journalist's right
El-Sayed asked Sky News US correspondent James Matthews whether he was registered to vote in Michigan, then said, 'Then why would I care to have a conversation with you?'
“Then why would I care to have a conversation with you?”
El-Sayed dismisses international relevance
El-Sayed claimed he did not care about UK opinions, stating, 'You know how many votes I want to get in the UK?Zero.I am never running for office in the UK ...
“You know how many votes I want to get in the UK? Zero. I am never running for office in the UK ... so I actually do not care what you think or the questions you ask.”
Piers Morgan's criticism
Piers Morgan called El-Sayed's remarks 'pathetic' and 'very patronising', saying the senator should show more respect to the UK and one of its best journalists.
“pathetic, and very patronising, by @AbdulElSayed . He should show more respect to the UK and one of our best journalists.”
El-Sayed escalates conflict
El-Sayed clapped his hands for emphasis and twice placed his hands on Matthews's shoulders, asking him to stop 'chasing' him around.
“chasing”
Video goes viral
A video of the confrontation went viral on social media, garnering more than 11.3 million views on X within a day.
“11.3 million views on X within a day”
The takeaway
Abdul El-Sayed refused to answer questions from a British journalist who couldn't vote in Michigan, sparking criticism from Piers Morgan.
