💛 A quick favor, if you've got a second.
We're really happy that you chose to read one of our stories and sincerely hope you'll stick around to read more. We took our paywall down — for now — but that won't last forever, and when the gate goes back up, we'd love for you to already be on the inside.
It's free. So please enter your email here and don't forget to like and follow us on all of your favorite Social Media platforms!
A $3,000 campaign contribution from popular children’s content creator Rachel Griffin Accurso, known professionally as Ms. Rachel, to Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed sparked Republican backlash Sunday. The donation, disclosed in a Federal Election Commission filing dated July 19, linked the YouTube personality with over 20 million subscribers to the progressive Democrat’s bid in an increasingly contentious primary race centered on Israel policy.
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Samantha Cantrell issued a sharp rebuke, claiming that both figures were pushing a “socialist” and “anti-America agenda” on children, according to reporting by The New York Post. The filing did not specify whether Accurso’s payment constituted a contribution or a loan.
El-Sayed, who has called for an arms embargo against Israel and accused the country of committing genocide in Gaza, carries endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. During a July television appearance, he characterized Israel as a “rogue state” that carried out a genocide, statements Israel has repeatedly rejected while defending its military operations against Hamas.
Accurso has maintained that her Gaza advocacy remains separate from her children’s educational programming. During an August PBS NewsHour interview, she defended her public statements about Palestinian children while denying accusations that she promotes anti-Israel sentiment.
The YouTuber has expanded her political involvement beyond campaign donations. In March, she disclosed plans to work with lawyers and activists to shut down the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas, alleging mistreatment of detained children. CoreCivic, which operates the facility, disputed the allegations in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Accurso has also previously contributed $3,500 each to New York City congressional candidates Brad Lander and Darializa Avila Chevalier, both backed by city official Zohran Mamdani who defeated Democratic incumbents in June primaries. Her husband, Aron Accurso, separately donated $1,500 to Chevalier’s campaign.
The August 4 Michigan primary election will pit El-Sayed against Rep. Haley Stevens, a fellow Democrat. The pro-Israel advocacy group AIPAC has invested nearly $30 million to support Stevens’ campaign, according to The Associated Press.
More Stories
Sanders Stands By Platner Endorsement, Defends Vetting Process
Hilaria Baldwin Shares Glute Workout Video, Drawing Praise From Social Media Followers
Democratic Party Faces Cash Crunch as Election Nears, Reports Show Spending in Territories Despite $2.2M Debt