Ex-DSA member rips Abdul El-Sayed and warns far-left adopting politics of foreign terror org

Former DSA member warns of extremism in Michigan’s Senate race

A former member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has cautioned that extremist factions are now shaping the organization and that its influence could be affecting the Michigan Democratic Party’s efforts to win the 2026 U.S. Senate seat. The former union worker, Jake Altman, said that the DSA’s shift toward a far‑left ideology is “very susceptible to extremist takeover” and that the party’s moderates need to be wary of the group’s new direction.

Altman, who worked for several labor unions before joining the DSA, left the organization in 2015 after what he described as the “import of the politics of Hezbollah” into the left wing of the Democratic Party. He said the DSA began adding “fanatical far‑left factions, including Marxists and Leninists, around 2014 and 2015” and that the group had “lost its older, tolerant tradition.” Altman added that the DSA’s 2025 convention voted to lift a ban on Leninists, allowing the group to bring “extremism among the party ranks.”

“We want a broad, tolerant America. We don’t want to be at each other’s throats,” Altman told Fox News Digital. He warned that the “sectarian aftermath” of the DSA’s new orientation could threaten the broader Democratic movement.

Criticism of Abdul El‑Sayed’s campaign

The former DSA member also criticized Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El‑Sayed, describing him as dishonest and “sanctimonious.” Altman said he had met El‑Sayed several times, noting that he had worked closely with El‑Sayed’s father, Mohamed El‑Sayed, who is an engineering professor at Eastern Michigan University and former president of the university’s American Association of University Professors (AAUP) local. Altman recalled an encounter at the party’s endorsement convention in April 2024, when El‑Sayed reportedly asked him why he had been “critical of the campaign,” a question Altman said was a “political mudslinging” tactic.

“He's the most sanctimonious man in Democratic Party politics,” Altman said, adding that he was “not a straight shooter.” He claimed that El‑Sayed’s campaign was “not engaged in political mudslinging,” a statement that Altman said contradicted his own experience.

El‑Sayed, a former congressional staffer and activist, is seeking to appeal to moderate Democrats in a race that is expected to be pivotal in the 2026 midterms. He has been criticized for his association with Hasan Piker, a left‑wing streamer who has made controversial statements praising Mao Zedong and making antisemitic remarks. El‑Sayed has defended Piker’s presence on the campaign trail and has declined to condemn the streamer.

DSA leadership under scrutiny

Altman singled out Megan Romer, the DSA’s co‑chair, calling her a “Marxist‑Leninist” and “fan of the Cuban regime.” He said Romer had visited Cuba with a group of 40 far‑leftists and promoted the country’s “care‑focused vs. production‑focused” system, blaming the U.S. blockade for food shortages and mass emigration. Altman also noted that Romer highlighted Cuba’s “most LGBTQ‑friendly constitution in the world.”

Altman argued that the DSA’s move away from its earlier stance—where communism was explicitly rejected—has paved the way for extremist groups to gain influence. “We had this older generation that was very tolerant, part of a broader liberal tradition, engaged in a productive way with the Democratic Party, not a destructive way as we see today,” he said.

Broader political context

The Michigan Senate race is part of a broader contest between the Democratic Party’s progressive and moderate wings. The state’s Democratic Party recently held a controversial endorsement convention in April, where El‑Sayed’s candidacy was challenged by other Democrats. The race will determine whether Democrats can regain the seat that was held by Republican Mike Rogers.

El‑Sayed has focused on winning the trust of moderate voters while maintaining his progressive platform. His campaign has also highlighted his commitment to “deliver for Michiganders,” a stance that Altman said has not been transparent in the candidate’s messaging.

Conclusion

Altman’s warnings come amid growing concerns over the influence of far‑left elements within the DSA and their potential impact on the Democratic Party’s strategy. Whether the party’s moderates will heed his call to reject sectarian politics remains to be seen. The outcome of the Michigan Senate race and the broader 2026 midterms will likely reveal how the Democratic Party balances progressive momentum with the desire for broad appeal.