Left-wing host Mehdi Hasan pressed Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on Wednesday over why he called himself a “physician” despite not having a valid state medical license as the Democrat competes in a closely watched primary.
“You got attacked by your rivals for calling yourself a physician, not just a doctor, even though you dont have a valid state medical license in New York or Michigan, which apparently is what you need legally to call yourself a physician,” Hasan said during a Zeteo interview. “Do you wish youd just stuck to calling yourself a doctor, which you are, to avoid all of this controversy and attacks on your physician status?”
“You know, at the end of the day, its not about whether or not Im a physician or a doctor,” El-Sayed said. “Its not about my education. Its about whether or not your kid gets a good education.”
“Thats a good line, but people would say its also about did you tell the truth?” Hasan said.
Hasan raised the question after noting that El-Sayeds rivals had attacked him for calling himself a “physician” rather than a doctor.
After El-Sayed initially tried to steer the exchange toward healthcare access and education, he defended his public health record, saying he had helped more people through government service than many doctors do in clinical practice.
“Well, I would say that I was the health director for the city of Detroit, and Ive done more to provide more people healthcare or eliminate their medical debt than most doctors have done in their practice career,” El-Sayed said. “So, Im proud of the work that I did.”
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El-Sayed said he changed course with his medical training after graduating from Columbia University.
“I took my medical education in a different direction,” El-Sayed said. “And I did graduate from a school thats literally called Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. So, you know, you can go have that argument with Columbia University if youd like.”
El-Sayed has on the campaign trail and in public biographies despite records showing he never held a medical license in Michigan or New York.Â
El-Sayed’s campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital for comment.
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Hasan also pressed El-Sayed on his personal finance disclosure, noting that Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., had attacked him and Republican Mike Rogers over their finances.
“You sought an extension through Aug. 13, I believe, which is after the primary,” Hasan said. “Was this to avoid transparency with your voters? Why not release them before the election?”
El-Sayed said the delay was related to family finances and overseas property.
“No, just taxes get complicated,” El-Sayed said. “My wife and her family own property abroad, and, so, getting all those tax forms is a thing.”
Bridge Michigan reported that El-Sayed filed an extension to dela
