Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed finds some common ground with Trump, calls for bipartisan cooperation
WASHINGTON, DC: Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has backed President Donald Trump’s proposal to end US aid to Israel, saying he would be willing to work with the president on the move despite their political differences.
Speaking to MS NOW’s 'Morning Joe' on Thursday, November 5, the Michigan Democrat said that the US should stop subsidising the Israeli military and questioned continued weapons sales to the country. El-Sayed also called on Democrats to focus on delivering policy outcomes rather than seeking political retribution as they prepare to take control of Congress in January.
Abdul El-Sayed backs Trump’s plan to end $4 billion in US aid to Israel
El- Sayed told the hosts of 'Morning Joe', “I don't think we should be continuing to subsidize a foreign military that has done the worst things with our money. In fact, I don't know that we should be continuing to sell weapons to a country that is, again, using our weapons to do awful things."
El-Sayed on Trump talking about cutting off aid to Israel: "I agree with him on that. I don't think that we should be continuing to subsidize a foreign military that has done the worst things with our money. I agree, I'd love to work with him on doing that." https://t.co/rovg4yGxO4
— Furkan Gözükara (@FurkanGozukara) November 5, 2026
Trump had announced on Tuesday that the US would stop providing $4 billion in aid to Israel, saying that the country no longer needed the financial assistance.
"Why? Because they don't need it. I mean, I asked them, because they don't need it. And because why should we suffer the slings from lunatics like El-Sayed when they don't need it," Trump said. "It is a bad talking point. Because when you say, 'Why don't we give everybody $4 billion?' Israel is our number one. We give them more than anybody else, and they no longer need it."
President Trump on U.S. aid to Israel: "We were giving them $4 billion. We are. But it gets cut off at the end of the year. Why? Because they don't need it. "Why should we suffer the slings from lunatics like El-Sayed when they don't need it? It's a bad talking point." https://t.co/xkfmbs5lTg
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) November 3, 2026
Trump also said the decision had been discussed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that “he brought it up, he said, 'I think it would be appropriate if we do not receive aid.'"
Abdul El-Sayed calls for cooperation with Trump, Republicans on domestic priorities
Beyond the issue of Israel aid, El-Sayed said that Democrats should approach their incoming congressional majority by focusing on policy and accountability rather than retaliation against Trump.
"I think people see our politics as this game where you get retribution on the other side. It’s not about retribution. It should never be about retribution," the senator-elect said. "It’s about enforcing the rule of law and, most importantly, delivering for the American public."
"If (Trump’s) interested in getting money out of politics, putting money in pockets, and passing Medicare for All, that’s what I ran to do, and I’m looking forward to working with anyone who is willing to do that," El-Sayed stated.
El-Sayed even said he would be willing to work with Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who had criticized him during the campaign. "Ted Cruz said some awful things. I will sit down with Ted Cruz, and if he’s got a bill that makes sense to get money out of politics, put money in pockets, pass Medicare for All, I’ll work with him on it. So long as he’s willing to do it in good faith," he said.
