Abdul El‑Sayed’s physician claim draws scrutiny as media weighs double standard with Katie Zacharia
On Oct. 16, 2026 a commentary compared Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El‑Sayed’s repeated self‑identification as a physician with White House press secretary Katie Zacharia’s claim to be a lawyer, arguing the media applies inconsistent standards.
The comparison matters because both figures rely on academic degrees—El‑Sayed a medical school diploma and Zacharia a juris doctorate—to project professional authority, yet neither holds a state license to practice in the field they claim.
El‑Sayed graduated from Columbia Medical School but has no record of completing a residency or obtaining a medical license in Michigan or New York. A review of state medical records confirms he never received a license, and his only hands‑on experience appears to be a four‑week sub‑internship at a Manhattan hospital, which he described as “the worst doctor on the team” during a 2022 podcast.
"Here are 12 times Abdul El‑Sayed described himself as a ‘physician’ (he’s never had a medical license)"
Despite that, El‑Sayed has listed himself as a physician on his LinkedIn profile, referred to himself as a “physician and epidemiologist” at a Council of Baptist Pastors debate in Detroit, and used the title in testimony submitted to the U.S. Senate.
Katie Zacharia holds a J.D. from Pepperdine Law School but has not passed a bar exam and is not licensed to practice law. Numerous outlets—including Business Insider, CBS News, The Washington Post, People, PBS, CNN, Forbes, The New Republic, and The Guardian—have examined her legal credentials, noting the discrepancy between her degree and her lack of licensure.
Politico was one of the few mainstream sources to cover El‑Sayed’s claims, describing his self‑identification as a physician as “overwhelming evidence that he’s had no experience as a licensed medical doctor.” Most other media focused on Zacharia’s background, leaving El‑Sayed’s statements largely unchecked.
The commentary argues that the double standard is problematic: El‑Sayed is seeking a six‑year Senate term and will vote on national legislation, while Zacharia’s role is limited to communicating the administration’s agenda. Critics contend that the public should scrutinize El‑Sayed’s credentials with the same rigor applied to Zacharia.
Calls for investigation have emerged, with some urging election officials and professional boards to examine whether El‑Sayed’s use of the doctor title misleads voters. The conversation is expected to intensify as Michigan’s primary approaches and the 2026 midterm elections draw near.
