Abdul El-Sayed’s election-night exchange with Sky News U.S. correspondent James Matthews has drawn criticism in the UK after a clip of their encounter spread widely on X. The report says the video had received more than 6.5 million views.
Matthews asked El-Sayed questions after his victory over Mike Rogers in Michigan. El-Sayed first asked whether the reporter was registered to vote in the state. When Matthews said he was not, El-Sayed replied: “So why would I care to have a conversation with you?”
Matthews said he was covering an election with consequences beyond the United States. El-Sayed responded that he was not seeking votes in the UK and did not care about the reporter’s views or questions. He then clapped and placed both hands on Matthews’ shoulders, asking him to stop following him. Matthews replied that he was asking questions, not chasing him.
British journalists criticized El-Sayed’s conduct. Piers Morgan called it “pathetic” and patronizing, while Sky News special correspondent Alex Crawford praised Matthews for asking relevant questions and explaining the election’s international significance. Tim Shipman, political editor of The Spectator, also condemned the exchange, comparing El-Sayed’s treatment of the reporter to Donald Trump’s treatment of journalists.
The report says El-Sayed will become the first Muslim senator in the United States following his defeat of Rogers in Michigan.
Sources: Deadline.