Donors fund both Dan Bilzerian's extremist campaign and Abdul El-Sayed's Senate bid
Investigators found that more than a dozen contributors have given money to both Dan Bilzerian’s neo-Nazi congressional run and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
A review of Federal Election Commission filings shows that at least thirteen individuals have contributed to both Dan Bilzerian’s congressional campaign, which has been described as neo-Nazi, and Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate race in Michigan. The overlap appears driven by a common opposition to AIPAC and Israel, despite the candidates’ otherwise divergent policy views. Ibrahim Awad, a Georgia-based personal-injury lawyer, is the top shared donor, giving more than $19,500 across the two races, including a $12,651.88 contribution that may breach contribution caps.
Texas entrepreneur Hussein "Sam" Mahrouq has also funded both campaigns and has spent over $150,000 supporting anti-Israel candidates such as Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. Additional joint donors include three doctors—Ishtiaq Habib, Yusuf Salah, and Akram Shhadeh—and several small-business owners. The report notes that Bilzerian’s campaign ended with a large personal spend and a loss to Rep. Randy Fine, while El-Sayed remains in a competitive Senate contest against Mike Rogers. No comment was obtained from the listed donors or the candidates.
Why it matters
The shared financing highlights how anti-Israel sentiment can link donors across the political spectrum, raising questions about campaign finance compliance.
In this story
