Income and Accusations
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, known for criticizing the wealthy, makes enough money to place him and his wife in Michigan’s top 1% of households. His household income in 2025 was reported as $686,069, which exceeds Michigan’s top 1% threshold of $611,500, according to IRS data analyzed by Axios.
“For people who have accumulated so much wealth that your money makes money, at some point, we’re like, ‘well we can’t possibly tax them,’” El-Sayed stated during a campaign event in August 2025.
The candidate highlighted the significant wealth held by America’s richest, suggesting wealth tax could redistribute money for public use.
Wealth and Criticisms
Despite denying intentions to defund the police, El-Sayed has questioned the necessity of police using guns in a resurfaced clip. His tax return shows $262,299 in capital gains, while he criticizes extreme wealth for allowing money to generate money. El-Sayed’s ownership of two rental properties worth $750,000 in 2025 contrasts with his criticisms of “greedy landlords.”
His main criticism is aimed at billionaires, not those who are merely rich. “I don’t begrudge anyone their millions, but I do begrudge everyone their billions,” he said at a campaign event.
Political Support and Criticism
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders has endorsed El-Sayed’s campaign, despite El-Sayed being part of the 1%. Sanders, a self-described socialist, sees “the 1%” as harmful to American politics. He also supported El-Sayed’s 2018 gubernatorial bid.
El-Sayed’s campaign pushes for taxing billionaire wealth to reduce the influence of the ultra-rich and support working people.
Additional Controversies
El-Sayed’s income partly comes from his wife’s psychiatry practice, which faced criticism for reportedly not accepting insurance. His household income is significantly higher than the $237,000 reported during his 2018 gubernatorial run. Despite his left-wing rhetoric, he spends on upscale items like wristwatches valued between $2,000 and $10,000.
The El-Sayed campaign did not provide comment when contacted by Fox News Digital.