Michigan Senate Race: Fact-Check of Rogers and El-Sayed Claims

A review of recent interviews with Michigan Senate candidates John Rogers and El-Sayed found multiple claims that were false, misleading, or unsupported by evidence. The assessment was conducted by CBS News ahead of the general election, which is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026. Both candidates appeared in separate segments of the 60 Minutes program in late October.

The race has become highly contentious in the final 48 hours before polls close. Rogers is attempting to become Michigan’s first Republican U.S. senator in 25 years. His primary opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, recently broke with the Democratic ticket to endorse Rogers. Stevens stated in a social media video posted on Sunday that she did not belong in El-Sayed’s campaign. Democratic minority leader Sen. Chuck Schumer described the move as a despicable betrayal.

During the interviews, Rogers claimed that El-Sayed wrote a letter supporting the Muslim Brotherhood when the group took over Egypt in 2012 or 2013. Rogers argued that El-Sayed’s ideology was concerning. Reporting indicates that El-Sayed was one of 46 Egyptian-Americans who addressed a letter to Egypt’s elected president, Mohamed Morsi, a senior leader of the Muslim Brotherhood. The letter urged Morsi to act against allies of the previous authoritarian leader. The United States had not designated the organization a terrorist group at that time, though the Trump administration has called its branches terrorist entities recently. El-Sayed denies ties to the group and has publicly disavowed it.

El-Sayed claimed that the utility company DTE buys off almost every politician in the state. He stated that DTE raised rates faster than in 46 other states over the past 20 years. He said the company looks the other way while making money hand over fist. Public records show DTE and its political action committee have made extensive contributions to Michigan politicians. The review found no evidence that DTE made improper payments in exchange for votes or regulatory decisions.

El-Sayed also claimed that Rogers made 14 million dollars after leaving Congress in 2015. El-Sayed said Rogers moved to Florida, bought a mansion, and purchased two yachts. Financial disclosures show Rogers’ household net worth rose to an estimated 7 million to 14 million or more after leaving office. The figures represent net worth, not earnings. The review could not verify that Rogers specifically earned 14 million dollars. Rogers registered two boats in Maryland, one 32 feet long and one 39 feet long, and sold one before registering the other.

Rogers referred to El-Sayed as a Democratic Socialist of America. While El-Sayed has campaigned with prominent members of that group, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, he is not a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. The group has not officially endorsed him. When asked if he was ever a socialist, El-Sayed responded: No. I’m a capitalist.

Rogers asserted that El-Sayed wants to defund the police. It is true that El-Sayed called for defunding the police in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd. El-Sayed recently described the slogan as a pretty dumb and unnuanced slogan. He noted that it was the conversation happening at the time. In his current Senate campaign, El-Sayed has called for increased funding for police recruitment, retention, and retirement.

The interviews were part of a broader effort to provide transparency in a closely watched race. President Trump has thrown his support behind Rogers and disparaged El-Sayed as a jihadist. The fact-check process involved comparing the candidates' statements against public records and prior reporting to evaluate their accuracy for voters deciding who will represent the state in the U.S. Senate.