Abdul El-Sayed faces Michigan Senate race controversy over Hamas remarks by Democratic activist

A hidden-camera investigation by O'Keefe Media Group has sparked controversy in Michigan's Senate race. Footage shows Democratic activist Abdoul Beckwith claiming candidate Abdul El-Sayed receives foreign donations and cannot distance himself from Hamas without losing supporters. Beckwith was fired by the Michigan Democratic Party. El-Sayed's campaign rejected the allegations as untrue. The controversy comes as El-Sayed faces criticism over his Israel stance and Trump mocked his name at a rally.

A political controversy has erupted in Michigan's Senate race after a conservative investigative group, O'Keefe Media Group, released hidden-camera footage featuring a Democratic campaign activist making allegations about candidate Abdul El-Sayed. The activist, Abdoul Beckwith, was a field organizer for the Michigan Democratic Party's coordinated campaign. In the footage, Beckwith claims that El-Sayed receives donations from people living outside the United States and cannot publicly distance himself from Hamas without risking the support of some of his voters. The Michigan Democratic Party confirmed Beckwith was fired. El-Sayed's campaign rejected the claims as untrue and based on false information, stressing it complies with FEC regulations. The controversy comes as El-Sayed's criticism of Israel has become a prominent issue. In an ABC News interview, El-Sayed said Israel is not really an ally of the US. President Donald Trump also mocked El-Sayed's name at a rally, saying he can call him whatever he wants. The election is November 3.