Overview
- Abdul El‑Sayed’s March 1 strategy call, the audio of which the Washington Free Beacon published Monday, captured him advising no public comment on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killing because “a lot of people in Dearborn are sad.”
- The recording also captured El‑Sayed planning to deflect press questions by invoking Donald Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, saying he would call Trump a “pedophile president” to shift the focus.
- He discussed arguing that the Iran fighting benefits Israel and cited AIPAC’s influence, while an adviser on the call voiced concern about leaning into Israel‑related messaging.
- After Monday’s report, campaign counsel said the call was recorded without permission and the team was weighing legal options, and El‑Sayed later issued a statement accusing the outlet of unethical or illegal acquisition and calling the story a distraction from the war.
- On Wednesday, El‑Sayed told Fox News the real issue is a “war we don’t need,” questioned its legality and cost, and noted the political stakes in a state where Dearborn’s large Arab‑ and Muslim‑American community makes reactions to Iran policy especially sensitive.