Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has drawn criticism from conservative commentators after endorsing Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate running for Michigan's US Senate seat, in the party's primary contest. Critics have seized on the move as the latest in a string of Warren-backed candidates whose campaigns have run into controversy or setbacks, framing her endorsement as something of a liability rather than a boost for the candidates she supports.

El-Sayed, who has previously run for Michigan governor, has positioned himself as an anti-establishment figure, telling supporters that groups such as ICE, health insurers and corporate interests should regard him as "dangerous". His campaign and record have already attracted scrutiny and backlash from opponents, and Warren's endorsement has intensified debate about the direction of the Democratic Party's progressive wing ahead of the Michigan primary.