Abdul El-Sayed is celebrating a historic victory, and he had a few choice words for Vice President JD Vance along the way.
After defeating Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, the Democrat took a playful jab at Vance during his victory speech, joking that the vice president would be required to swear him in to office in January. The moment quickly caught the internet’s attention, with fans loving the way El-Sayed turned a contentious campaign into a memorable clap back. Read more about what he had to say and how the internet reacted below.
Abdul El-Sayed Achieves Impressive Senate Win & Calls Out JD Vance During His Victory Speech
Democrats had plenty to celebrate on election night, with a major blue wave sweeping across the country in the 2026 midterm elections.
El-Sayed’s win was among the night’s most significant victories, as he defeated Republican Mike Rogers to become Michigan’s next senator and the first Muslim American elected to the U.S. Senate. The former public health director’s victory was especially notable after an intense campaign marked by personal attacks and more.
During his victory speech in Detroit, the doctor also took aim at the vice president, who had repeatedly criticized him throughout the campaign. The Hillbilly Elegy author had called El-Sayed a “psychopath” and accused him of promoting anti-white racial hatred while campaigning for Rogers. But after his impressive win, the senator-elect got the last laugh, reminding Vance that he would have to swear him in to the Senate in January.
“JD, habibi, there is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January,” he said, using an Arabic term of affection. “Donald, I know you struggle with my name, so after JD swears me in in January, you can go on and call me senator.”
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Social Media Users Love Abdul El-Sayed's Clap Back At JD Vance
The 42-year-old's victory speech quickly made its way across social media, with fans celebrating his win and praising his playful response to the vice president.
Many loved the irony of Vance having to officially welcome someone into the Senate after spending months attacking him, while others were especially amused by El-Sayed's use of the Arabic term of endearment "habibi." The moment was widely celebrated as a clever way for the senator-elect to turn his critics' attacks into a victory lap.
"I love this," responded an X user.
"Dude calling Vance Habibi is A-level trolling!" wrote another.
"After they attacked him with the most xenophobic, racist [stuff], he deserves the Victory lap," a user noted.
"He has a brilliant sense of humor," added another.
"The Vance swearing-in photo op is going to be unreal," joked a user.
