During the U.S. midterm elections, an unusual confrontation unfolded yesterday (Tuesday) between Abdul El-Sayed, who won Michigan’s Senate race and became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, and Sky News UK correspondent James Matthews, after the reporter tried to question the Muslim candidate. “I don’t care what you think,” El-Sayed told him.
Michigan’s Democratic candidate for Senate Abdul El-Sayed confronted @jamesmatthewsky, telling him he wouldn’t answer his questions as he wants “zero” votes in the UK.
Watch the heated exchange between the two.
Watch our live coverage of the US midterms➡️ https://t.co/hrELyhg17W
— Sky News (@SkyNews) November 3, 2026
The confrontation began when Matthews spotted El-Sayed outside a polling station and tried to ask him several questions. El-Sayed responded: “Are you registered to vote in the state of Michigan?” When the reporter said no, he continued: “So why should I care to have a conversation with you? You’re a journalist in Britain. I don’t care what you think or what questions you’re asking.”
During the exchange, which lasted several minutes, El-Sayed stayed close to Matthews and at one point even placed his hands on the reporter’s shoulders. “You know how many votes I want to get in Britain? Zero. I’m never running for public office in Britain,” he said. Matthews replied that “the importance of these elections extends beyond the world.”
El-Sayed later mocked Matthews over Sky News’ viewership numbers in the United States: “Where are your viewers? Sky News isn’t watched in the United States of America; it’s only watched in Britain—as five people watch it here. I’ve answered all the questions I’m interested in answering for viewers in Britain, so I’m asking you to stop chasing me.” The reporter responded that he was doing his job: “I’m not chasing you, I’m asking questions.”
The incident, captured on camera and covered by media outlets worldwide, began with the reporter’s attempt to discuss the Senate race with El-Sayed but quickly turned into a sharp exchange. Just hours after the confrontation, El-Sayed won Michigan’s Senate race, defeating his Republican opponent Mike Rogers, and became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate.