Shakira Gives El-Sayed Cheeky 'Hips Don't Lie' Reply as He Takes Universal Healthcare Fight to Senate

Shakira has joined newly elected Michigan Senator Abdul El-Sayed in a viral political moment after jokingly endorsing his proposed 'Shakira law', as the physician-turned-politician prepares to take his universal healthcare campaign to the US Senate when he takes office in January 2027.
El-Sayed, who defeated Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race, made the joke during his election victory speech after facing Islamophobic attacks and false allegations that he intended to introduce Sharia law in the United States.
'No one is trying to push Sharia law on anyone, but there is Shakira law. And Shakira law has one commandment: that the hips don't lie,' he said, accompanying the punchline with a playful hip movement.
Shakira responded to a video of the moment shared on his campaign team's Instagram account.
'Finally, a law my hips can agree with! Habibi, think you can get it through Congress?' the singer commented, prompting enthusiastic reactions from social media users.
Shakira responded to U.S. Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, explaining the meaning of Shakira Law:
— shakirastuff (@shakira_stuff) November 12, 2026
“Finally, a law my hips can agree with! Habibi, think you can get it through Congress? 💃🏽” pic.twitter.com/x0JaovbijH
Shakira's 'Hips Don't Lie' Joke Goes Viral
The exchange quickly attracted attention, with users praising both the singer's response and El-Sayed's ability to turn political criticism into humour.
One commenter described the politician's remark as 'such a dad joke', while another suggested that everyone should 'implement this law whenever wherever queen'.
Others highlighted how the Democrat handled the controversy, with one social media user describing his response as quick, witty and memorable.
The joke also echoed El-Sayed's separate 'Shawarma Law' quip, which he made during a campaign stop in response to claims that he supported imposing Sharia law. He joked that shawarma containing lettuce was simply a sandwich.
Who Is Abdul El-Sayed? Doctor Takes Universal Healthcare Fight to Senate
Beyond the viral exchange, El-Sayed's election victory carries significant implications for his healthcare agenda.
A physician, epidemiologist and former Detroit health director, the senator-elect made Medicare for All a central promise of his campaign.
His proposal seeks to extend federally provided healthcare coverage to every American, including necessary medical services such as dental, vision and hearing care. His campaign has advocated coverage without premiums, deductibles or co-payments.
El-Sayed has also argued that people should be able to retain additional private insurance through employers or unions, although he believes universal public coverage would make much of it unnecessary.
He has pledged to oppose Medicaid cuts and changes that could make Affordable Care Act coverage more expensive or difficult to obtain.
Can El-Sayed Turn His Medicare for All Promise Into Policy?
El-Sayed's healthcare agenda comes as millions of Americans face potential reductions in health coverage under federal policy changes.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that changes to Medicaid under the 2025 reconciliation law will reduce enrolment by approximately 13.1 million people by 2035.
The CBO also estimated that the law's Medicaid provisions would increase the number of uninsured Americans by 7.5 million in 2034. Major eligibility changes are scheduled to begin in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Centre on Budget and Policy Priorities reported that enrolment in Affordable Care Act marketplaces fell by 2.2 million between December 2025 and February 2026, following the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits.
However, the largest Medicaid changes under the reconciliation law have yet to take effect, meaning current coverage declines cannot be attributed solely to the legislation.
El-Sayed has argued that addressing rising healthcare costs requires systemic change, with universal coverage at the centre of his approach.
His victory gives Medicare for All a prominent advocate in the Senate, although implementing the proposal would require congressional support.