Michigan Democrat El-Sayed Refuses to Apologize for “Ogre on a Pike” Remark, Clarifies Target as Fetterman

Abdul El-Sayed, a far-left Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, stood by inflammatory language he used in private donor remarks Monday night during the final primary debate, declining to express regret despite criticism from members of his own party. When pressed about the controversial phrasing, El-Sayed declined to apologize but instead identified the target of his “ogre on a pike” metaphor as Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman, whom he accused of betraying his campaign principles after taking office.

The dispute originated from a leaked audio recording of a Zoom call with donors obtained by Politico, in which El-Sayed discussed using electoral victories on August 4 and in November to advance progressive causes and challenge Democratic incumbents viewed as insufficiently left-wing. The remark about placing “one ogre on a pike” to send a message to others drew immediate backlash when some Democrats interpreted it as directed at his primary opponent, Representative Haley Stevens of Michigan, particularly given its aggressive tone.

Several prominent Democrats condemned the language as violent and potentially sexist. Representative Hillary Scholten, who endorsed Stevens, called the remark “violent, vulgar,” while Neera Tanden, former Biden administration official now leading the Center for American Progress, suggested the comment reinforced accusations of sexism permeating the race. Stevens herself responded with pointed irony: “Thank you for clarifying that you didn’t call me an ogre.”

El-Sayed pivoted to attacking the United Democracy Project, a super PAC tied to the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC, claiming it orchestrated character assaults on his behalf. He also referenced his family while rejecting sexism allegations, invoking his wife, mother, and daughters while defending his past criticism of Michelle Obama and his challenge to Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2018.

Stevens campaign spokesperson Arik Wolk accused El-Sayed of prioritizing national political ambitions over Michigan’s interests, while the leaked recording revealed additional controversial statements about Whitmer, former Senator Debbie Stabenow, and state Senator Mallory McMorrow, who withdrew from the race earlier this month. Republicans capitalized on the controversy, with the RNC Research labeling El-Sayed’s debate response a “double down” on the offensive characterization of Fetterman.

The pike imagery invoked historical parallels to previous political controversies. In 2020, former Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon faced platform suspensions after saying he would place the heads of Dr. Anthony Fauci and FBI Director Christopher Wray “on pikes” outside the White House. During President Trump’s first impeachment trial in 2020, Senator Adam Schiff recounted an unverified claim that Republican senators had been warned their heads would end up on pikes for opposing the president, drawing immediate denials from Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski.