The MeidasTouch Podcast - Episode Summary Title: Michigan Dem Senate Candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed on Trump’s Attacks
Release Date: April 19, 2025
Host: MeidasTouch Network (Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas)
Guest: Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Democratic Senate Candidate in Michigan

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers engage in a deep and insightful conversation with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a prominent Democratic candidate for the Michigan Senate race. The discussion centers around the significant challenges Michigan faces under former President Donald Trump's policies, the impact on local businesses and communities, and Dr. El-Sayed's vision for restoring hope and fostering positive change in the state.

Key Topics and Discussions

1. Impact of Trump’s Policies on Michigan

The conversation opens with Ben highlighting the adverse effects of Donald Trump and Elon Musk's actions on Michigan. Michigan's 2024 election flip back to Trump serves as a backdrop for discussing various red flags and policy failures.

• Fake Union Workers: Ben references suspicious activities during Trump's campaigns, such as "fake union workers at fake union shops pretend to be union workers" (00:53), indicating deceptive tactics that eroded trust among real union and auto workers.

• Economic Policies: Dr. El-Sayed underscores the chaos wrought by Trump's economic policies, which have left Michigan's auto industry and other sectors struggling. Ben notes, "Donald Trump's polling when it comes to his handling of the economy right now [is] lower than it even was during COVID" (02:00).

2. Tariffs and Local Business Struggles

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the detrimental effects of Trump's tariffs on Michigan businesses, particularly in the auto repair sector.

• Mechanic's Plight: A Michigan car repair shop owner shares his struggles with rising tariffs, expressing concern over passing costs onto customers. Dr. El-Sayed emphasizes the real-world impact: "These tariffs affect your day to day operations. I mean, is charging more the only solution?" (03:13).

• Adaptation Challenges: The mechanic elaborates on limited options to mitigate costs, fearing customer loss due to increased prices (03:19).

3. Immigration Policies and Their Consequences

The episode delves into Trump's stringent immigration policies, highlighting their negative repercussions on Michigan's workforce and local economies.

• Deportations Impacting Businesses: Adrian introduces Vladimir Judy, a West Michigan business owner, who discusses how Trump's immigration crackdown threatens his legally employed workers, many of whom are essential to his businesses (04:11).

  • Vladimir Judy's Testimony: "I think it's a big mistake and there is a lot of mistake together that he's doing right now. And I think it's going to be catastrophic" (04:29).

  • Economic Contribution of Migrants: Judy asserts the vital role migrants play in America's economy, sharing his personal journey from Haiti to the U.S. in pursuit of better opportunities (04:40).

• ACLU Challenges: The ACLU is contesting the Trump administration's decision to revoke the legal status of 70 international students in Michigan, affecting university operations and community cohesion (02:30).

4. Federal Staffing Cuts and Environmental Concerns

Trump's administration's federal staffing reductions have crippled essential functions in Michigan, particularly in environmental monitoring and research.

• Great Lakes Research Lab: Ben points out the detrimental impact on facilities that monitor toxic algae blooms and forecast severe weather, crucial for Michigan's environmental health (04:00).

5. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed’s Candidacy and Vision

Dr. El-Sayed shares his motivations for running for Senate, emphasizing his commitment to addressing the pain and struggles faced by Michiganders.

• Personal Connection to Pain: "I trained as a doctor, and the thing you're trained to do is to walk in and see pain... Can we believe that things can actually get better?" (06:00).

• Endorsement from Bernie Sanders: Highlighting the significance of Senator Sanders' endorsement, Dr. El-Sayed discusses the enthusiasm it has generated among voters who seek genuine solutions over political platitudes (08:07).

• Vision for Michigan: Dr. El-Sayed outlines a comprehensive platform focused on Medicare for All, combating corporate corruption, fostering a robust local economy, and ensuring quality education and healthcare (10:58).

6. Hope and Potential for Change

The discussion culminates in a message of hope, with Dr. El-Sayed emphasizing the power of community and collective action to overcome current adversities.

• Transforming Pain into Hope: "Can we actually work together and turn it into hope?" (06:03).

• Grassroots Support: Dr. El-Sayed expresses gratitude for the support from grassroots movements and encourages voters to join his campaign to bring substantive change to Michigan (12:48).

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben Meiselas (00:53): "Donald Trump and Elon Musk have unleashed their wrecking ball in the United States of America, Michigan has been impacted significantly..."

• Mechanic (03:13): "These tariffs affect your day to day operations. I mean, is charging more the only solution?"

• Vladimir Judy (04:40): "Migrants are a big force driving America's economy. Like so many others, I came to the U.S. from Haiti for a better life with more opportunities."

• Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (06:00): "Can we believe that things can actually get better? What Trump did on immigration... made us think that it was somebody else who was causing us all this pain."

• Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (10:58): "I know that corporations, the Fortune 500, have literally corrupted our politics for their profits against the kinds of opportunities that we need and deserve."

• Vladimir Judy (05:36): "It's a privilege that we have in the United States that we have people coming from all over the world to come here and work and contribute to the American dream."

Conclusions and Insights

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast offers a thorough examination of the multifaceted challenges Michigan faces under Donald Trump's influence. From economic struggles due to misguided tariffs and immigration policies to environmental and social repercussions, the conversation paints a vivid picture of the state's current predicament. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed emerges as a beacon of hope, presenting a clear and actionable vision for healing and progress. His emphasis on community-driven solutions, backed by endorsements from influential figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, positions him as a formidable candidate poised to address and rectify the systemic issues plaguing Michigan.

Listeners are left with a profound understanding of the stakes involved in the upcoming Senate race and the critical need for leadership that prioritizes the well-being of its constituents over partisan and corporate interests. The heartfelt testimonies and strategic insights shared in this episode serve as a rallying call for voters to support candidates who are genuinely committed to fostering a thriving, equitable, and resilient Michigan.

Final Thoughts

The MeidasTouch Podcast continues to provide invaluable discourse on pressing political matters, blending brotherly camaraderie with serious discussions aimed at supporting democracy. This episode, featuring Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, exemplifies the podcast's commitment to delivering content that is both engaging and enlightening, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of significant political dynamics and the individuals striving to make a difference.