On Monday night, August 25th, 2026, Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed appeared on "Jesse Watters Primetime" on Fox News, where he faced challenging questions about gender-affirming care for minors and transgender athletes in women’s sports.

El-Sayed, a progressive candidate and former Detroit Health Department director, initially avoided direct answers on these issues. He stressed that healthcare decisions, especially for minors, should be made strictly between the patient, their parents, and their doctors. "I just think the government shouldn't tell you what kind of healthcare you should have and if you're a minor, it's between you and your doctor and your parents," El-Sayed said.

He also referenced "great conversations" about right-to-try legislation, expressing his belief that the government should not limit the healthcare a person is allowed to receive.

Host Jesse Watters strongly objected to El-Sayed's stance, questioning the role of parental consent in irreversible surgeries for children and calling the situation "sick stuff" before shifting the discussion toward transgender athletes in women’s sports.

The debate highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding youth gender procedures, with El-Sayed advocating for minimal government interference in healthcare decisions.

Sources