Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is facing renewed criticism after a resurfaced video showed him saying he “hates” Mackinac Island, one of Michigan’s most iconic and beloved destinations.
The comments came from a 2020 documentary chronicling El-Sayed’s unsuccessful 2018 campaign for governor. In the clip, El-Sayed is seen walking around Mackinac Island while discussing the possibility of becoming governor and spending time at the governor’s summer residence on the island.
“I hate Mackinac so much,” El-Sayed says in the footage.
He then joked about the possibility of winning the governor’s race and having access to the summer residence.
“It’s funny ’cause, like, if we win, this is gonna be, like, the summer home,” El-Sayed said. “I’m just gonna be like every time I’ve ever come here. I’ve hated it. Why am I here?”
The clip resurfaced online and quickly attracted attention from conservative commentators, who criticized El-Sayed for appearing to dismiss a location that holds deep sentimental and cultural significance for many Michiganders.
Abdul El-Sayed hot mic: “I hate Mackinac so much”
This is the most American place in MI pic.twitter.com/HDgoBNTHPV
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) August 7, 2026
Mackinac Island, located in Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas, is one of the state’s best-known tourist destinations. Its historic character, Victorian architecture, horse-drawn carriages and famous fudge shops have made it a symbol of Michigan summers for generations.
The backlash was swift.
Federalist editor-in-chief Mollie Hemingway criticized El-Sayed, arguing that the comments reflected a broader attitude she believes is increasingly common among Democratic politicians.
OutKick founder Clay Travis also weighed in, noting that he got engaged on the island and describing it as an extraordinary destination.
Former Trump adviser Steve Cortes called the comments particularly offensive given Mackinac Island’s status as an iconic Michigan destination.
Commentary Magazine editor John Podhoretz also attacked El-Sayed over the remarks, saying that disliking Mackinac Island was evidence of poor judgment.
Other conservative voices piled on, including National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Sarah Gallagher and conservative social media account End Wokeness.
Former Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon argued that the comments demonstrated a disconnect between El-Sayed and Michigan voters.
“Abdul speaks fondly of his Egyptian summers yet he shows utter disdain for one of Michigan’s most beautiful summer destinations,” Dixon said. “He wants his history to be respected but belittles Michigander’s favorite memories. He doesn’t respect us, and, therefore, he cannot represent us.”
Not everyone agreed that the clip should be interpreted as an attack on Mackinac Island itself.
Journalist Brad LaPlante defended El-Sayed, arguing that the remarks were being taken out of context. According to LaPlante, El-Sayed was actually criticizing the Mackinac Policy Conference, an annual gathering of political and business leaders held on the island.
LaPlante argued that El-Sayed viewed the conference as an event dominated by powerful and well-connected insiders rather than ordinary voters.
That explanation, however, did little to stop the criticism.
Michigan Young Republicans board member James Asher pushed back on LaPlante’s interpretation, sarcastically questioning the effort to explain away El-Sayed’s comments.
The controversy has continued to center on whether El-Sayed was expressing genuine disdain for Mackinac Island or using the island as shorthand for the political establishment and exclusive policy gatherings associated with it.
The distinction could matter as El-Sayed campaigns for the U.S. Senate, where his political opponents are likely to scrutinize past statements and attempt to portray him as disconnected from Michigan’s traditions and culture.
Mackinac Island itself has long occupied a unique place in Michigan life. Motor vehicles have been largely prohibited there since the late 19th century, and residents and visitors primarily travel by foot, bicycle or horse-drawn carriage.
The island features historic homes, waterfront streets, Victorian architecture and landmarks including the Grand Hotel and Fort Mackinac. More than a million visitors reportedly travel to the island each summer, making tourism a major part of its identity.
For many Michigan families, Mackinac is more than simply another vacation destination. It represents summer traditions, family trips, weddings, honeymoons and decades of memories.
That is precisely why the resurfaced video has struck such a nerve with El-Sayed’s critics.
El-Sayed later responded directly to the End Wokeness post featuring the resurfaced clip.
“Not sure about ‘End Wokeness,’ but I don’t think the most ‘American place in MI’ can be a place that…bans cars,” El-Sayed wrote Friday afternoon.
His response appeared to reinforce the argument that his criticism was at least partly directed at Mackinac Island’s unusual rules and restrictions rather than simply its scenery or cultural significance.
What began as an offhand comment recorded during a documentary about a failed gubernatorial campaign has now resurfaced years later, giving political opponents an opportunity to argue that El-Sayed does not appreciate one of Michigan’s most recognizable traditions.
Whether Michigan voters ultimately view the comments as a harmless joke, criticism of the political establishment or a genuine dislike of Mackinac Island remains to be seen. But the controversy demonstrates how comments made years ago can quickly become political ammunition once they resurface in the age of social media
