Concern mounts for Democrat Haley Stevens after ‘trainwreck’ CNN interview over Republican endorsement

Former Michigan Democratic primary candidate Haley Stevens has attracted concern after giving a “trainwreck” interview in which she struggled to explain her shock decision to endorse GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers.

Stevens was narrowly defeated by Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed in August. She initially endorsed him before criticising an attack ad against Rogers last week, which prompted El-Sayed’s campaign to ask her to stay away from his events, to which she responded by backing Rogers Sunday.

She then gave a disastrous interview to Anderson Cooper on CNN Sunday night in which she struggled to explain her sudden decision to walk away from El-Sayed, leading Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell and State Sen. Mallory McMorrow to express their concern for her.

During a joint appearance on Fox 2 Detroit, Dingell said she had talked to Stevens on Saturday and been assured she was not about to change horses, only for Stevens to do precisely that, while McMorrow noted that the latter’s fiance had publicly backed Rogers and suggested he might have influenced her decision.

In her CNN interview, Stevens was asked by Cooper why she had changed her mind at the eleventh hour, a question Stevens ducked by saying she believed El-Sayed had become “angrier and angrier” as a candidate.

Former Michigan Democratic primary candidate Haley Stevens delivered a 'trainwreck' interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN Sunday in which she struggled to explain her endorsement of Republican Senate contender Mike Rogers — Former Michigan Democratic primary candidate Haley Stevens delivered a ‘trainwreck’ interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN Sunday in which she struggled to explain her endorsement of Republican Senate contender Mike Rogers (CNN)

Pressed on what specifically had changed overnight, Stevens insisted her call was about El-Sayed’s “lack of kindness” – eventually invoking his past association with controversial leftist commentator Hasan Piker – and really about decency within the Democratic Party.

She went on to brush off Cooper raising a past tweet in which she had attacked Rogers as a stooge for President Donald Trump, without explaining why she had revised her opinion of him so abruptly.

The journalist admitted to some “frustration” with Stevens’ reluctance to answer his question and eventually asked flat out: “Do you want Democrats to win control of the Senate?”

“I absolutely do,” she said, after which an awkward silence descended. Stevens went on to insist that she was “just one person” casting a vote, leading Cooper to point out that she was making her views known in a very public manner and that her own chief of staff had announced his resignation in response to her behavior, along with around half of her staff.

More awkward silences followed as Cooper attempted to get Stevens to clarify what she had told Dingell Saturday, to which the interviewee responded by accusing the host of “editorializing.”

Dingell herself was Cooper’s next guest and did not hold back, calling it “one of the most painful interviews I’ve ever watched.” She continued: “I have been worried about her all last week. She’s a human being. I’ve had multiple conversations with her. I’m far from being the only one that has.”

Earlier Sunday, El-Sayed reacted to Stevens’ endorsement of Rogers by dismissing it as unimportant but his party’s hierarchy has expressed plenty of anger on his behalf.

Fellow Michigan Democrats Debbie Dingell and Mallory McMorrow have expressed concern over Stevens' sudden decision to back Rogers — Fellow Michigan Democrats Debbie Dingell and Mallory McMorrow have expressed concern over Stevens’ sudden decision to back Rogers (Fox 2 Detroit)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused her of carrying out a “despicable betrayal” in a post on X while former House speaker Nancy Pelosi said: “Haley Stevens has chosen to dangerously betray Michigan families’ healthcare, freedoms and future with her horrific endorsement of Mike Rogers. Abdul El-Sayed must win – because Michigan and our country deserve better.”

In an interview with MS NOW, McMorrow said she had been with El-Sayed and Dingell in church that morning and said of Stevens’ decision: “It’s just a sad desperate attempt to be relevant… To have Haley abandon Michiganders and her constituents is deeply, deeply sad.”

Arizona Rep. Yassamin Ansari called her “insane” on X and, on YouTube, legendary Democratic strategist James Carville launched into a spectacular rant in which he fumed: “Lady, if you’re going to sell your soul, you gotta get more for it than a f***ing cheeseburger, OK?!”

One person who was delighted by Stevens’ actions was Trump, who hailed her move on Truth Social by calling her a “Highly Respected Democrat” who had shown “great and almost unprecedented loyalty to the Great People of Michigan with what she did.”

“It’s a thing called bravery, and few people have it like just displayed by Congresswoman Haley Stevens!” he beamed.

At his rally appearances in Iowa and Kansas on Sunday, the president openly expressed his hope that she would join the Republican Party.