In an interview on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan on September 13, 2026, Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat, addressed a range of issues, including the Republican National Convention (RNC), his campaign strategies, Medicare for All, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. El-Sayed responded to comments made by House Speaker Mike Johnson at the RNC, where he criticized Democrats in swing states for aligning with "socialists." El-Sayed pushed back, arguing that the real concerns for Michigan families—such as high gas prices, rising grocery costs, trade policies, and the ongoing war in Iran—were not discussed at the convention. He emphasized that the focus should be on making life more affordable in Michigan rather than on his personal background or political affiliations. El-Sayed was also asked about his relationship with Hasan Piker, a popular Twitch streamer known for his provocative and sometimes controversial online content. He clarified that Piker is not his running mate and that he is focused on representing Michigan’s interests rather than on distractions about Piker. He acknowledged concerns from Jewish voters about his association with Piker but said he is more interested in discussing issues that directly affect people’s lives, such as healthcare costs and economic policies, rather than focusing on a Twitch streamer. On the topic of Medicare for All, El-Sayed explained that the U.S. healthcare system currently spends about 20% of the economy on healthcare, with much of that money going to pharmaceutical and insurance companies. He argued that under Medicare for All, healthcare costs would be significantly reduced and redirected to provide comprehensive, lifelong insurance for all Americans. Addressing concerns about potential tax increases, El-Sayed said he is focused on taxing the wealthy and reducing the financial burden on everyday citizens. El-Sayed also spoke about the need to work with Republicans to achieve policy goals, noting that some Republicans, like Senator Josh Hawley, are open to discussions on pro-union legislation and healthcare reform. He stressed the importance of persuasion and engaging a broad audience across the country to build support for his policies. On artificial intelligence, El-Sayed called it an "existential crisis" and proposed turning AI companies into public trust organizations with democratically chosen members. He also called for a public agency focused on AI safety and the creation of "AI no-go zones," such as preventing AI from denying healthcare or employment. El-Sayed emphasized the need for public oversight to ensure AI is developed in the public interest rather than for private profit.