Quick answer: In a conversation with comedian Hasan Minhaj, Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, described being suspended for fighting as a student. He says the experience taught him to "hate bullies," summed up in the line: "I don't bully, but I bully bullies."
Also known as / Real name: Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed (Bridge Michigan) (Reuters) (Wikipedia)
Video: "I Don't Bully, I Bully Bullies" - Abdul El-Sayed on Hasan Minhaj by Viral Podcast Shorts on YouTube.
What Abdul El-Sayed said in the clip
The Short comes from a full episode on Hasan Minhaj's YouTube channel titled "Who is Scared of Abdul El-Sayed?" In it, El-Sayed tells a story from his school years. In the full episode (at about 8:29), he describes himself as a kid who "was in the AP classes and had gotten suspended for fighting" because he "instinctively came to hate bullies."
His line "I don't bully, but I bully bullies" is the hook of the clip. In the same part of the conversation, he says he applies that attitude to politics. These are his own descriptions of his past and his views; this article reports them as his account and does not assess them.
Abdul El-Sayed's Senate candidacy
El-Sayed won Michigan's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on August 4, 2026, narrowly defeating U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, according to the Associated Press. Reuters and CNN reported the margin at under 15,000 votes out of more than 1.5 million cast. The seat is open because Sen. Gary Peters is retiring (CNN). In the November general election, El-Sayed faces Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AP).
Reuters reported that his primary campaign focused on healthcare, the economy and ending unconditional military aid to Israel.
Who is Abdul El-Sayed?
El-Sayed is an American physician, epidemiologist, public health administrator and academic (Wikipedia). AP describes him as a former public health official. He previously ran for governor of Michigan in 2018. He goes by Abdul El-Sayed; his full name is Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed, according to Bridge Michigan and Reuters.
Where to watch the full conversation
The Short was posted by Viral Podcast Shorts, crediting Hasan Minhaj and Abdul El-Sayed. Watch the full episode, "Who is Scared of Abdul El-Sayed?", on YouTube for the complete context.
FAQ
What did Abdul El-Sayed say on Hasan Minhaj's show? He says he was suspended for fighting as a student and that he came to hate bullies: "I don't bully, but I bully bullies."
Is Abdul El-Sayed running for Senate? Yes. He is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan in 2026 and faces Republican Mike Rogers in November, according to AP.
What is Abdul El-Sayed's full name? Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed, according to Bridge Michigan and Reuters.