Resurfaced 2007 Clinton Commencement Video Circulates
Families tracking campus honors can see how a University of Michigan valedictorian's 2007 graduation moment has returned to public view.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Secondary Education
A 2007 video of former President Bill Clinton praising then-valedictorian Abdul El-Sayed at the University of Michigan commencement has resurfaced online. Journalist Yashar Ali posted the clip to X on November 2, 2026, as El-Sayed is now the Michigan Democratic Senate nominee.
Why it matters
For families weighing college choices, the clip is a reminder that commencement speeches and valedictorian honors can shape a graduate's path, from medical school to public office. The resurfacing also shows how campus recordings from years ago can return to public attention during election seasons.
The commencement took place at the University of Michigan in 2007, with El-Sayed speaking as valedictorian before Clinton gave the address. Yashar Ali posted the resurfaced video to X on Monday, November 2, 2026.
The players
Bill Clinton
Former U.S. president who delivered the 2007 University of Michigan commencement address.
Abdul El-Sayed
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee who was valedictorian of the University of Michigan Class of 2007.
Yashar Ali
Journalist who published the resurfaced 2007 commencement video on X.
The details
Clinton said he wished every person in the world could have heard El-Sayed speak, and afterward asked him why he was going to medical school. Clinton also told El-Sayed he had a gift for communicating and might someday run for office. El-Sayed recalled these private exchanges in a recent interview on Jon Stewart's podcast, The Weekly Show.
Timeline
2007: University of Michigan commencement where Clinton and El-Sayed spoke.
November 2, 2026: Yashar Ali posted the resurfaced video to X with the caption "Wait for it...."
November 3, 2026: The story was published on HuffPost.
The Home Front
Resurfaced campus footage like this one illustrates how university recordings from past decades can gain new public life during election cycles. For households, it is a reminder that a student's early academic achievements can become part of a public record.
If your household is weighing a university or preparing a student for graduation, consider whether a campus's commencement and honors programs match your child's goals. Keep copies of academic records and honors documentation in a secure family folder.
The takeaway
Student achievements recorded on campus can resurface years later, so families should keep academic records organized and accessible. Reviewing a school's commencement and honors history can also help set expectations for a student's next steps.
Further reading
For broader context on how students move from campus honors into careers and civic life, explore Secondary Education coverage on We are Home.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HuffPost.
