Changes

After Sen. [[John Fetterman]] (D-PA) sharply attacked [[progressive]] candidate [[Graham Platner]] and generally opposed, often with vitriol, progressive principles, El-Sayed said in a leaked recording of a call with donors:

After Sen. [[John Fetterman]] (D-PA) sharply attacked [[progressive]] candidate [[Graham Platner]] and generally opposed, often with vitriol, progressive principles, El-Sayed said in a leaked recording of a call with donors:

{{cquote|If I win … well y’all came at me so now I get to come at you, and you know, primarying people like John Fetterman, I have no problem to do that. Ideally you put one ogre on a pike and then everyone else gets the message and all of a sudden starts to sound a lot different.<ref>https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5994020-fetterman-slams-pontiac-platner/</ref>}}

{{cquote|If I win … well y’all came at me so now I get to come at you, and you know, primarying people like John Fetterman, I have no problem to do that. Ideally you put one ogre on a pike and then everyone else gets the message and all of a sudden starts to sound a lot different.<ref name=hill>[https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5994020-fetterman-slams-pontiac-platner/Fetterman dubs El-Sayed ‘Pontiac Platner’ in response to ‘ogre on a pike’ quip]. The Hill, July 28, 2026.</ref>}}

When subsequently asked about his statement during a political debate, El-Sayed did not retract or apologize for it.

When subsequently asked about his statement during a political debate, El-Sayed did not retract or apologize for it.

'''The "Ogre on a Pike" and Violent Political Rhetoric'''

'''The "Ogre on a Pike" and Violent Political Rhetoric'''

In July 2026, a leaked audio recording from a private donor call captured El-Sayed discussing primarying Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, using the phrase "putting an ogre on a pike."

In July 2026, a leaked audio recording from a private donor call captured El-Sayed discussing primarying Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, using the phrase "putting an ogre on a pike."<ref name=hill/>

* '''The Backlash:''' The comment drew swift bipartisan condemnation. Critics and rival campaigns labeled it as "beneath the progressive project" and a dangerous personal attack.

* '''The Backlash:''' The comment drew swift bipartisan condemnation. Critics and rival campaigns labeled it as "beneath the progressive project" and a dangerous personal attack.