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Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Abdul El-Sayed speaks to the press about rising gas prices outside a gas station in Detroit, Mich., September 22, 2026.
Rebecca Cook/Reuters
It might be the political ad of the 2026 cycle, but in all the worst ways:
The pro-Abdul El-Sayed ad, produced and released by the populist Rebellion PAC, became an instant viral sensation, generating millions of views in just a few hours. The 70-second web spot is not, however, earning much praise. Instead, the very Democrats it was supposed to boost have condemned it.
About the Author
Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.
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It might be the political ad of the 2026 cycle, but in all the worst ways:
The pro-Abdul El-Sayed ad, produced and released by the populist Rebellion PAC, became an instant viral sensation, generating millions of views in just a few hours. The 70-second web spot is not, however, earning much praise. Instead, the very Democrats it was supposed to boost have condemned it.
About the Author
Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.
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