Sanders accuses Musk and other billionaires of funding ‘racist, Islamophobic’ ads against Abdul El-Sayed

Sen. Bernie Sanders accused Elon Musk and other billionaires of pouring money into “racist, Islamophobic” political advertising targeting Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, arguing that wealthy donors are using identity-based attacks because they have little to offer working-class voters.

“I’ll tell you why Elon Musk and the other billionaires are flooding the airwaves with racist, Islamophobic ads,” Sanders said during a campaign event in Michigan. “Because they have nothing to say about the important issues facing working people.”

El-Sayed, who is Muslim and of Egyptian descent, is running against Republican Mike Rogers in a Senate race that could help determine control of the chamber. His campaign has faced a wave of attacks centered on religion, Israel and national security.

Sanders also launched a broader attack on President Donald Trump, calling him a “pathological liar,” an authoritarian and a narcissist who does not respect the Constitution or the rule of law.

“I have friends who are Republicans. They’re conservative. They’re honest,” Sanders said. “But we have in the White House today a man who is a pathological liar.”

Sanders used the event to press Democrats to embrace Medicare for All, arguing that an idea once considered politically marginal now commands majority support.

He cited a recent Wall Street Journal poll showing 63% support for moving toward Medicare for All and said progressives should use that public backing to force the issue inside the Democratic Party.

“Fifteen or 20 years ago, when I talked about Medicare for All, people didn’t know what it was,” Sanders said.

“We’re going to make an offer that the Democratic leadership cannot refuse.”

Sanders and El-Sayed have argued that higher taxes on billionaires could help finance universal health coverage and have made economic inequality, healthcare costs and the influence of wealthy political donors central themes of their campaign appearances.