Democratic senator-elect from Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed, had a tense exchange with a journalist on Tuesday, before putting his hands on him. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed had a viral, combative exchange with Sky News reporter James Matthews just hours before his Senate victory on Tuesday, even putting his hands on the reporter.
“Are you registered to vote in the state of Michigan?” » asked El-Sayed as he approached journalist James Matthews.
“That’s not the case,” replied the U.S.-based British correspondent.
“Why would I want to have a conversation with you?” the Democrat fired back.
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After Matthews said he was a journalist, El-Sayed scoffed and replied: “in the UK.”
“You know how many votes I want to get in the UK? Zero,” El-Sayed told Matthews as he placed both hands on the journalist’s shoulders. “I will never stand for election in the UK”
Matthews stressed that the 2026 midterm elections “matter to the world” and told El-Sayed that he was “applying to be a senator.”
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“A senator in where? In which country? Which country?” El-Sayed retorted, placing his hands on Matthews’ shoulders again.
“The United States,” Matthews replied.
“Which country are you from?” » asked El-Sayed.
“I’m based in the United States,” Matthews said.
“But where are you reporting? Where are your viewers?” El-Sayed interrupted.
Democratic Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed speaks during a midterm election watch party at Hudson’s Department, November 4, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Salwan Georges/Getty Images)
El-Sayed dismissed Matthews by claiming that Sky News viewers were international, insisting that “Sky News is not seen in the United States of America”, then sneering that “about five people” watch the channel in the United States.
“I’ve answered all the questions, I’ve answered all the questions from the viewers in the UK. So I’m going to ask you to stop coming after me. Please,” El-Sayed said before walking away. Matthews denied to El-Sayed that he was “pursuing” him.
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According to Sky News, Matthews “repeatedly requested an interview” with El-Sayed. The Democrat had another tense exchange with Matthews on Monday as he tried to pressure him over the defection of Michigan Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, who had supported her GOP rival, Mike Rogers.
“If you continue to embarrass me, I won’t be very happy,” El-Sayed told the reporter.
Sky News released a statement of support for its reporter.
“We are proud of our correspondent James Matthews, who did his job: covering the election campaign and asking simple questions on behalf of our audience,” a Sky News spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “The outcome of the US election has consequences globally, including in the UK and in the 138 countries around the world where millions of people consume Sky News.”
The El-Sayed campaign did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
El-Sayed had several tense exchanges with journalists before the midterm elections. (Sarah Rice/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
El-Sayed, who had multiple tense exchanges with reporters in the run-up to the midterm elections, beat Rogers in the closely watched Senate race for a seat that Republicans hoped to flip this election cycle.
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Democrats took control of the House and Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections, dealing a major setback to Republicans.
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