Michigan Senate debate erupts into personal attacks as Rogers, El-Sayed clash over Israel, Iran and more

By Fox News · Fox News

Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed traded personal attacks and accusations during a heated Michigan U.S. Senate debate Thursday night, clashing over everything from affordability, the war in Iran and U.S. support for Israel to their respective financial dealings and personal backgrounds. The contentious showdown in Grand Rapids marked the first time the two candidates faced off onstage ahead of November's closely watched election after Rogers declined to participate in a debate last month hosted by FOX 2 Detroit, citing concerns about the moderator's impartiality. At the top of Thursday's debate, what began as a discussion about affordability quickly devolved into personal attacks, with Rogers repeatedly questioning El-Sayed's medical credentials and accusing him of misleading voters. El-Sayed accused the former congressman of enriching himself through corporate connections. "He's lying. So, he lied about being a physician. He lied now about being an Egyptian citizen or not being an Egyptian citizen," Rogers charged during one particularly heated exchange. "That's a con man." EL-SAYED’S SCATHING OBAMA CRITIQUE RESURFACES AHEAD OF JOINT CAMPAIGN RALLY El-Sayed, who holds a medical degree from Columbia University, rejected the attacks and accused Rogers of attempting to distract voters from issues affecting their everyday lives. "He wanted to make this about him or me. But the question is about you," El-Sayed responded. "Can you afford your gas? Can you afford your groceries under this guy who's going to rubber stamp everything Donald Trump tells him to rubber stamp?" The candidates also sparred over their personal finances, with El-Sayed repeatedly accusing Rogers of profiting from corporate relationships after leaving Congress and referencing his Florida property and alleged yacht ownership. Rogers, who denied owning any yachts, countered by questioning El-Sayed's investments and alleged overseas property holdings in the UAE, while also slamming him…