Oct 26, 2026 · 58 min
Lula wins narrowly as AIPAC and Michigan reshape the political fight
10/26/26: Lula Defeats Bolsonaro, Mehdi Hasan Exposes AIPAC, Early Vote Omen For GOP
The episode connects a contested Brazilian comeback, scrutiny of AIPAC’s influence, and identity-driven campaigning in a pivotal Michigan Senate race.
- 1Lula’s narrow runoff victory survives disputes over turnout, voting disruptions, and Bolsonaro’s claims of irregularities.
- 2Mehdi Hasan’s documentary puts AIPAC’s history, campaign spending, and possible foreign-agent registration at the center of debate.
- 3Michigan’s Senate contest exposes how MAGA ambiguity and attacks on Abdul El-Sayed’s identity shape arguments about electability.
Don't miss
The hosts argue that attacks on Abdul El-Sayed’s electability mask racist and ethnically divisive campaigning.
The brief
Lula da Silva’s narrow Brazilian runoff victory becomes a test of political comeback, turnout, alleged voting irregularities, and Bolsonaro’s future after gains in Congress.
Mehdi Hasan joins the discussion around Nightflower, his documentary on AIPAC, tracing its influence, campaign spending, history, and the debate over foreign-agent registration.
The AIPAC segment focuses on pressure against Jewish politicians who criticize Israel, including Andy Levin and Daniel Biss, and on the role of dark-money networks.
Michigan’s Senate race pits Abdul El-Sayed against Mike Rogers while raising questions about Haley Stevens’s support, Rogers’s MAGA positioning, and ties to defense contracting.
The hosts argue that claims about El-Sayed’s electability can conceal racist and ethnically divisive attacks, turning identity into a proxy for political judgment.
What was said on this episode
20 statements · 7 positive · 10 negative · 1 mixed · 2 neutral
Brazilian stocks lost roughly 20–30% after Lula’s victory.
“The Brazilian stock market has lost something like... 20% to 30%, maybe a quarter of its value.”
Listen at 2:53
Mehdi Hasan expected Lula to lose Brazil’s runoff.
“This is a truly shocking victory. I thought that Lula would lose.”
Listen at 4:20
Lula remains mentally sharp at age 80.
“He's 80 years old and is still extremely sharp mentally.”
Listen at 5:13
Lula won a historic fourth presidential term.
“Lula is elected to a historic fourth term.”
Listen at 5:55
Voting irregularities probably did not change Brazil’s result.
“there were irregularities i don't think that they affected the result”
Listen at 9:25
Available evidence does not justify disputing Brazil’s election results.
“I don't think you can really dispute the results from what I've seen, at least.”
Listen at 10:44
Lula could face impeachment proceedings during his next term.
“I would not rule out impeachment proceedings at some point during this term.”
Listen at 13:22
Evidence warrants a Democratic Justice Department investigation of AIPAC as a foreign lobby.
“there is enough here. For Democrats, if they ever take back Congress, if they ever take back the White House and the Justice Department to actually investigate”
Listen at 22:14
AIPAC’s electoral interventions are severely backfiring.
“a lot of these interventions by AIPAC are backfiring severely for them.”
Listen at 24:32
AIPAC has suffered a major reputational decline.
“AIPAC's taken a massive hit.”
Listen at 26:32
AIPAC’s super PAC spent tens of millions, possibly $100 million, in the race.
“through their super PAC, they give... tens of millions, maybe 100 million in this race”
Listen at 26:55
Democratic primaries should bar Republican-funded groups from spending on Democratic candidates.
“at the very minimum in Democratic primaries going forward, including the presidential primary in 2028, there need to be rules that prevent a Republican-funded group that may or may not be coordinating with a foreign government from spending on Democratic Party primary candidates.”
Listen at 30:15
Democrats will regret failing to support El-Sayed and similar leftist candidates.
“Democrats will regret dropping their vote blue no matter who, except when it's Abdul El-Sayed or a leftist they don't like in Michigan.”
Listen at 37:32
Mike Rogers may abandon his lawsuit if he loses.
“I suspect if he loses, he may just go away quietly.”
Listen at 41:43
A Republican victory in Michigan would intensify racist campaigning before 2028.
“if they win with this racist campaign, they will just escalate it in the run-up to 2028.”
Listen at 48:35
The Michigan Senate race will be either extremely close or a blowout.
“I suspect it'll either be a very, very close race or not close at all.”
Listen at 50:33
An El-Sayed victory would be historic.
“If he wins, it's going to be historic.”
Listen at 51:08
An El-Sayed victory would be historic and make him valuable in the Senate.
“it will be a historic, insane win, and that he will be a very valuable member of the Democratic caucus in the Senate.”
Listen at 51:18
Television advertising still strongly influences political perceptions.
“The airwaves still have a lot of power.”
Listen at 52:00
Medicare for All is highly popular in Michigan and improves El-Sayed’s polling.
“In fact, in Michigan, Medicare for All is insanely popular and has been helping his numbers.”
Listen at 53:22
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
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