Clinton Praised Abdul El-Sayed at 2007 Commencement

A resurfaced video shows the former president lauding the University of Michigan valedictorian, now a Michigan Democratic Senate nominee.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single tossed graduation mortarboard against a pale stone academic facade in navy, cream, and muted red. — Former President Bill Clinton praised University of Michigan valedictorian Abdul El-Sayed at the 2007 commencement, a resurfaced video shows, now as a Michigan Senate nominee. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Former President Bill Clinton praised then-valedictorian Abdul El-Sayed at the University of Michigan's 2007 commencement, where Clinton gave the address. Journalist Yashar Ali posted the resurfaced video to X on November 2, 2026.

Why it matters

The clip resurfaces the early public profile of El-Sayed, who is now the Michigan Democratic Senate nominee. It shows a prominent national figure's assessment of him nearly two decades before his current campaign.

The commencement occurred in 2007 at the University of Michigan, where Clinton gave the address and El-Sayed spoke as valedictorian beforehand. The video was posted to X on November 2, 2026, with the caption "Wait for it...."

The players

Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton is a former U.S. president who delivered the 2007 University of Michigan commencement address.

Abdul El-Sayed

Abdul El-Sayed is a physician and public health figure who is the Michigan Democratic Senate nominee.

Yashar Ali

Yashar Ali is a journalist who posts political and media commentary on X and other platforms.

The details

At the ceremony, Clinton said he wished every person in the world could have heard El-Sayed speak. After the speech, Clinton asked El-Sayed why he was going to medical school and told him he had a gift for communicating and might someday run for office.

2007: Clinton and El-Sayed speak at the University of Michigan commencement.
November 2, 2026: Yashar Ali posts the resurfaced video to X.
November 3, 2026: The story is published on HuffPost.

Season Trajectory

Clinton's 2007 remarks at the University of Michigan commencement now serve as an early public marker in El-Sayed's path to the Michigan Democratic Senate nomination. The resurfacing reframes that 2007 appearance as a precursor to his current campaign.

Students weighing graduation speakers or valedictorian honors can see how early academic recognition may gain wider attention later. The clip illustrates that commencement remarks can be recorded and recirculated for years.

The takeaway

Early recognition in school can carry forward in unexpected ways, and commencement moments are sometimes preserved for decades. Students should treat public speaking and academic milestones as lasting parts of their record.