An exchange on CNN NewsNight turned tense when Charles Blow defended Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed amid questions about reported family connections to the Muslim Brotherhood. After Blow brought Donald Trump into the discussion, conservative attorney May Mailman answered with a pointed question. Some panelists laughed, and Blow was annoyed by the reaction.
Questions About El-Sayed’s Family
El-Sayed had recently appeared on Meet the Press and was asked whether he or anyone in his family had connections to the Muslim Brotherhood. He answered no. NBC News later questioned him about tweets from his sister and other family members that appeared to suggest a family connection to the organization. The underlying claims remain allegations, not established findings in the clip.
Blow Brings Trump Into the Exchange
During Thursday’s edition of CNN NewsNight, Blow, a Langston Hughes Fellow at Harvard University and former opinion columnist for The New York Times, sparred with Mailman over the controversy. He said, “Involvement with any type of connection to a terrorist group is a problem.” Blow then asked whether Mailman was about to disown Donald Trump and condemn him. That shifted the exchange from El-Sayed’s reported family ties to Mailman’s position on Trump.
Mailman Flips the Question
Mailman first replied, “I do think if your parent is a terrorist, that is a problem.” She then asked, “Is his parent a terrorist?” Some panelists laughed. Blow turned his head and responded, “Oh, you laugh…”
The Exchange Became the Clip’s Main Moment
Mailman’s question did not resolve the separate allegations involving El-Sayed or his relatives. It did, however, challenge the comparison Blow had introduced by asking whether the same standard should be applied to Trump and his family. The exchange put the focus back on the distinction between a person’s own conduct and alleged statements or affiliations involving a relative.
Insane: Charles Blow on CNN NewsNight defends Abdul El-Sayed’s ties to terrorists and terrorism. pic.twitter.com/sELtuH646A
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) October 16, 2026
