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Fact-checking claims about Abdul El-Sayed's physician title and medical background?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @johndoyleshow

Abdul El-Sayed holds an MD from Columbia University but is not licensed in Michigan; major medical bodies recognize MD degree holders as physicians. While Michigan law defines a physician as a licensed practitioner for regulatory purposes, major professional medical organizations recognize MD degree holders as physicians regardless of clinical licensing status. El-Sayed earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Columbia University in 2014 before choosing a career in public health rather than clinical medicine. Omitting that professional medical standards treat MD holders as physicians presents his use of the title as a clear deception when it is standard professional usage.

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The Reel we checked

@johndoyleshow

Exposing Abdul El-Sayed Day 8: "Physician"

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Red flags

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A complaint was submitted to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs regarding El-Sayed's use of the physician title without a state medical license.

“investigate whether Abdul El-Sayed has violated Article 15 of Michigan’s Public Health Code by repeatedly holding himself out to the public as a “physician” despite potentially not possessing a Michigan physician license.” June 2, 2026 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Professional Licensing Enforcement Division P.O. Box 30670 Lansing,, 2026-06-02

The trick: Accuses by asking

It asks a loaded question to plant a claim it never has to prove (known as accusing by question).

“Why would Abdul feel the need to call himself a physician when he's clearly not one? I don't know. Maybe he's just trying to, like, mislead the public about his background.”

The speaker uses a rhetorical question to insinuate that El-Sayed is intentionally deceiving voters, ignoring that holding a Doctor of Medicine degree is widely recognized in medicine as qualifying for the title physician.

How this trick works and how to answer it →

What we checked

Abdul El-Sayed holds a Doctorate of Medicine.“By 2014, El-Sayed completed his doctor of medicine at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.”Who is Abdul El-Sayed? What to know about Michigan’s Democrat U.S. Senate candidate – The News Herald
Abdul El-Sayed refers to himself as a physician and doctor in campaign materials, interviews, and on his LinkedIn profile.“El-Sayed has acknowledged he does not practice medicine but has nonetheless called himself a physician, both on his LinkedIn profile , at campaign events and in media interviews .”Fact check: Abdul El-Sayed not a ‘fake doctor’ or licensed physician - Bridge Michigan
The Michigan Public Health Code defines a physician as an individual licensed or authorized under state law to engage in the practice of medicine.“Michigan law and federal law define a physician as someone licensed to practice.”Is Abdul El-Sayed a doctor? Fact-checking Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race – PolitiFact
When Abdul El-Sayed was head of the Wayne County Department of Health, the county employed a separate medical director.“SEMHA will subcontract 2.38%/$469,843 to Dr. Pamela”WAYNE COUNTY COMMISSION AGENDA THURSDAY, November 20, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. Commission Chambers, Mezzanine, Guardian Building, 500 Griswold, Detroit, MI
Under Michigan state law, a county health department is required to employ a separate medical director if the health officer is not a physician.“If the health officer is not a physician, a medical director shall also be employed who is responsible to the health officer for medical decisions.”state of michigan department of health and human services ...
Mike Rogers is a former FBI agent endorsed by Donald Trump, The Detroit News, and various Democrats.“Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens (Mich.) defended her last-minute endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers”Haley Stevens defends surprise Mike Rogers endorsement: 'I'm not turning my back on Democrats' + 1 more

What the Reel doesn't tell you

How it plays you

It wants you to think: “Abdul El-Sayed misleads the public by calling himself a physician despite not practicing clinical medicine, so voters should vote for Mike Rogers instead.”

Holding an MD degree leads major medical organizations to recognize one as a physician; using the title based on an earned medical degree does not demonstrate intent to deceive voters.

Short version

🧩 HALF THE STORY 👉 Abdul El-Sayed holds an MD from Columbia University but is not licensed in Michigan; major medical bodies recognize MD degree holders as physicians. 👉 El-Sayed earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from Columbia University in 2014 before choosing a career in public health rather than clinical medicine. 🧩 Left out: While Michigan statutory law requires a license to practice medicine to define someone as a physician for state regulatory purposes, major medical organizations consider holders of MD degrees to be physicians regardless of state clinical licensure. 🎭 Trick: Accuses by asking 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat

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