Democratic Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed on Sunday disavowed remarks by far-left streamer Hasan Piker that the United States “deserved” the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, calling the comments a “dumb statement.” The remarks come as El-Sayed faces scrutiny over his past campaigning with Piker, a figure whose rhetoric has drawn widespread criticism.
El-Sayed’s shift in stance follows months of defending his association with Piker, who has made multiple controversial statements, including praise for communist leaders and dismissive remarks about Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. Piker previously walked back his 9/11 comments, stating they were made in the context of U.S. foreign policy decisions in the Middle East.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has seized on the issue, framing El-Sayed’s reluctance to distance himself from Piker as indicative of broader Democratic Party alignment with radical views. The RNC’s national spokesperson, Natalie Baldassarre, stated that El-Sayed’s refusal to disavow Piker reflects a “poisonous ideology” within the party.
Immediate Reactions and Political Fallout
El-Sayed’s comments were made during an interview on NBC News’ Meet the Press, where he was pressed on whether he would continue to campaign with Piker. Piker attended El-Sayed’s primary victory party and has been a vocal supporter of the candidate’s Senate bid.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) previously called Piker’s 9/11 remarks “dumb” but argued that the Democratic Party should remain inclusive of progressive voices. Sanders added that cancel culture concerns should not overshadow political engagement.
MSNBC host Joe Scarborough criticized Democrats for failing to publicly separate themselves from Piker’s rhetoric, stating that the party risks repeating past electoral missteps by not addressing controversial allies. Scarborough’s remarks were echoed by other political commentators, who framed the issue as a litmus test for the party’s moderation.
Piker’s Controversial History and Campaign Role
Piker, a Twitch streamer with a large progressive following, has a history of provocative statements, including:
- Calling for violence against capitalists in a 2021 stream, stating, “Kill them. Kill those motherfers. Murder those motherfers in the street.”
- Praising Mao Zedong as “one of the great leaders of this world” during a 2022 trip to China.
- Dismissing the significance of Hamas’ October 7 attacks, stating that reports of sexual violence by Hamas militants were irrelevant.
- Using derogatory language toward critics, including telling a commenter to “suck my fucking cock” during a discussion about Sudan.
El-Sayed has previously declined to disavow Piker’s views, stating in April that he was “not here to disavow people’s views.” However, in a shift ahead of the general election, El-Sayed now characterizes Piker’s 9/11 comments as “dumb” and emphasizes that he is focused on defeating Republican nominee Rep. Mike Rogers.
Broader Implications for the Democratic Party
The controversy has highlighted divisions within the Democratic Party over how to handle progressive allies whose rhetoric alienates moderate voters. Some Democrats, including those associated with the podcast Pod Save America, have criticized Piker’s statements while acknowledging his influence among younger voters.
Chris Hayes, a host on Pod Save America, suggested that Piker’s future contributions to the progressive movement may require greater caution in his public statements. Hayes stated, “If Hasan Piker wants to contribute to the success of the movement, he’s probably going to have to watch what he says a lot more.”
The RNC has framed El-Sayed’s association with Piker as evidence of a broader ideological shift within the Democratic Party, while Democrats argue that the focus on Piker distracts from policy debates ahead of the November election.
What’s Next?
El-Sayed’s campaign is now navigating the balance between maintaining progressive support and appealing to general election voters. The candidate’s team has not indicated whether Piker will continue to play a role in the campaign, though El-Sayed has emphasized that he is accountable for his own statements rather than those of his allies.
Piker has not publicly responded to El-Sayed’s disavowal of his 9/11 remarks.