Steve Neavling
Role at the time: Metro Times investigative journalist writing analysis
Challenged the characterization
Statement summary
In a Metro Times analysis of Rogers's statements about El-Sayed, Neavling writes that when the paper asked Rogers's campaign about his bin Laden claims for an October 8 report, the campaign repeated an unfounded allegation that El-Sayed received money from terrorist organizations.
“When Metro Times asked about those claims for its Oct. 8 report, Rogers’ campaign declined to answer specific questions. It instead defended his record and repeated an unfounded allegation that El-Sayed received money from terrorist organizations.”
Open source (opens in a new tab)Mike Rogers keeps lying about Abdul El-Sayed. We counted the waysDetroit Metro Times analysis, October 21, 2026; section headed "An inflated counterterrorism resume".
Why we used this label
Relative to the allegation that El-Sayed's campaign took money from terrorist organizations, Neavling calls it unfounded. He disputes its basis rather than reporting evidence that no such payment occurred, so challenging the characterization fits better than a denial.