---
title: "El-Sayed softens past Obama criticism ahead of Detroit rally"
url: https://www.heredetroitmi.com/2026/10/12/el-sayed-walks-back-obama-criticism-detroit-rally/
date: 2026-10-12T07:16:07-04:00
modified: 2026-10-12T07:16:07-04:00
author: "Melody Magana"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Detroit"
attribution: "HERE Detroit"
---

# El-Sayed softens past Obama criticism ahead of Detroit rally

> Detroit, Mich. — Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed walked back past criticism of former President Barack Obama in a Meet the Press interview, weeks before the two are set to campaign together in Detroit. Pressed about 2012 comments that Obama perpetuated war and violated civil liberties, El-Sayed said Obama was handed a difficult set

*Source: [HERE Detroit](https://www.heredetroitmi.com/2026/10/12/el-sayed-walks-back-obama-criticism-detroit-rally/) — October 12, 2026 by Melody Magana*

Detroit, Mich. — Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed walked back past criticism of former President Barack Obama in a Meet the Press interview, weeks before the two are set to campaign together in Detroit.

Pressed about 2012 comments that Obama perpetuated war and violated civil liberties, El-Sayed said Obama was handed a difficult set of circumstances and did his best. He compared past disagreements to tensions families work through across generations.

Obama is scheduled to headline a rally with El-Sayed on Oct. 24 in Detroit alongside Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s secretary of state and the Democratic nominee for governor.

El-Sayed, a Democrat, faces former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in the November Senate race. He also renewed an apology for a March remark after a Michigan synagogue attack that drew criticism from some Jewish residents, including Attorney General Dana Nessel.

El-Sayed said he regrets stepping on anyone’s grief and wished he had thought twice before making those comments.