Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed faced an hour of tough questions. He stood alone in the studio. His Republican rival Mike Rogers did not show up.

Rogers declined the invitation earlier that day. He objected to the moderator Roop Raj. Raj had invited both campaigns on August 5.

El-Sayed accepted quickly. Rogers waited until Tuesday morning to say no. This left El-Sayed to answer hard questions by himself.

The moderator pressed him on controversial streamer Hasan Piker. El-Sayed had recently appeared on CBS News. He resisted questions about Piker there.

On Tuesday he offered a clear condemnation. He said he disavowed Piker's comments entirely. This included remarks about Jewish Americans.

El-Sayed defended talking to Piker though. He said engagement is not endorsement. He wanted to offer Piker's followers a path back.

The conversation turned to Israel next. El-Sayed avoided a yes or no answer. He was asked if the US should recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

He spoke about equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis. He questioned the premise of the question. He mentioned tax dollars and Detroit kids.

He called the current situation unstable and violent. The moderator then brought up campaign donations. El-Sayed received over $115,000 from CAIR affiliates.

At least 41 individuals gave this money. These donors worked for or led CAIR. Federal prosecutors named CAIR an unindicted co-conspirator.

This happened in a 2007 terrorism financing case. The UAE also designated CAIR as a terrorist group. Texas and Florida have similar labels.

El-Sayed did not say if he would return the funds. He called CAIR a civil rights group instead. He accused Rogers of starting a culture war.

He claimed Rogers focused on his faith and skin color. El-Sayed also criticized Rogers for AIPAC ties. He called AIPAC donations legalized bribery.

The moderator pointed out JD Vance's heritage. Vance is the father of Indian American children. The second lady is also Indian American.

El-Sayed said diversity exists in the other party. He pushed back on socialist labels too. He denied being part of the DSA.

He called the current system corporatism. He argued for healthcare and good roads. He said you do not need to be a socialist.

El-Sayed described himself as a capitalist. The DSA did not endorse his campaign. The notes end before his full statement.