Reporter responds to heated Sayed confrontation after Michigan Senate win
An exchange on election night
El-Sayed said he wanted “zero votes” from the UK, then added that “like, five people watch it”. Matthews replied that Sky News had an international audience and that the elections could affect people around the world.
El-Sayed’s Senate victory
El-Sayed, 42, is a former public health official who won Michigan’s open Senate seat. He will become the nation’s first Muslim senator. The confrontation took place as the midterm election results were emerging. The account identifies the day as Tuesday night and gives the date as 3 November.
Matthews explains his response
After the exchange, Matthews said people who hold power on Capitol Hill had a responsibility to build trust with audiences internationally. He linked that responsibility to America’s role as leader of the free world and to the state of the world. Matthews said he was disappointed that El-Sayed did not feel able to answer questions from foreign media.
Key points
- Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s open Senate seat and will become the nation’s first Muslim senator.
- James Matthews tried to question El-Sayed as the first US midterm polls closed.
- El-Sayed said he wanted “zero votes” from the UK and that “like, five people watch it”.
- Matthews said he was disappointed El-Sayed did not take questions from foreign media.