Springsteen Endorses Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate Race

Bruce Springsteen on Monday, Nov. 2, endorsed Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's U.S. Senate race, posting on social media that El-Sayed is a fighter for the Constitution and democracy and against what he called the corrupt, lawless and anti-American leadership in the White House. The endorsement comes on the eve of the 2026 midterms, in a close contest between El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers for the seat held by Democrat Gary Peters. The race was shaken when Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens withdrew her support for El-Sayed and endorsed Rogers; state Democratic Party chairman Curtis Hertel said Stevens is not a current party member and will not be in the future. Springsteen, who has repeatedly criticized President Donald Trump, said he was in El-Sayed's corner 100 percent. A Democratic win in Michigan is considered crucial to Democrats' effort to flip the Senate.

Breitbart, a right-leaning outlet, leads with the Stevens split and frames the endorsement as a last-minute pitch by a "leftist" rocker. It describes El-Sayed as a Muslim Democrat linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, features Rep. Nancy Pelosi's criticism of his "concerning" positions, and reports that centrist Democrats would rather lose the seat than back him, while Rogers welcomes the new supporters. Rolling Stone, a left-leaning outlet, leads with Springsteen's own words and places the race in a broader context: Trump's war against Iran, rising living costs and falling popularity that it says hamstring Republicans. It does not mention the Pelosi or centrist criticism. Both sides agree on the core facts of the endorsement, the Stevens defection and the race's stakes, but they differ on framing: Breitbart stresses Democratic division and El-Sayed's background, while Rolling Stone stresses the national political environment. Billboard, an alternative outlet, adds Hertel's statement and Springsteen's history of clashing with Trump.