Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed under fire for past 9/11 tweet and Hasan Piker ties
Abdul El-Sayed deleted a 9/11-related tweet and has refused to denounce streamer Hasan Piker, prompting criticism from several Democratic leaders.
A tweet once posted by Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed expressed sorrow for the September 11 victims and later suggested that U.S. wars caused millions of deaths and injuries abroad; the post has been removed but was archived online. The campaign maintains that El-Sayed has consistently condemned terrorism, while critics accuse him of supporting Hasan Piker, a streamer who previously claimed America “deserved 9/11” and has defended Hezbollah.
Prominent Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senators Elissa Slotkin and Jacky Rosen, as well as John Fetterman, have called on El-Sayed to disavow Piker’s rhetoric. El-Sayed’s primary opponents, Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, also urged him to sever the affiliation, though he argues the focus should remain on his policy platform. The controversy emerges amid a tightly contested Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers, with the 9/11 anniversary heightening scrutiny.
Why it matters
Voters are evaluating El-Sayed’s stance on extremist commentary and his ties to a polarizing media figure during a pivotal Senate race.
How this story developed
- Aug 18 Mike Rogers courts Jewish Democratic voters in tight Michigan Senate contest
- Aug 25 Piker’s remarks prompted public condemnations from the ADL and the Republican Jewish Coalition.
- Aug 25 The discussion broadened to include immigration enforcement, taxes on the wealthy and U.S. policy toward Iran.
- Aug 26 The Department of Health and Human Services described El‑Sayed’s circumcision analogy as a gross mischaracterization.
- Aug 27 A recent gathering of Michigan Democrats highlighted lingering divisions over El‑Sayed’s comments on Israel and domestic terrorism.
- Aug 27 With primary contests finished, candidates such as Democrat Christina Hines in Michigan highlighted soaring fuel and grocery costs as voters’ chief worry, whereas Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in New York warned that the Democratic Socialists of America will dominate the Democratic platform. Both parties are now gearing up for the November ballot, with Democrats emphasizing the economy and Republicans continuing to portray the opposition as moving left. Internal debates reveal differing strategies on how to address voter concerns over prices and ideology.
- Aug 27 Jesse Watters offered a backhanded compliment to El‑Sayed after the interview.
- Aug 28 Abdul El‑Sayed released a campaign statement distancing himself from Hasan Piker’s comments.
- Aug 30 The House scheduled a vote on a resolution denouncing socialism and the DSA.
- Aug 30 Ro Khanna publicly defended his interview with Piker, saying Democrats must continue to appear on new‑media platforms.
- Aug 31 Arab‑American leaders in Dearborn publicly endorsed Abdul El‑Sayed.
- Aug 31 Abdul El‑Sayed asked Hasan Piker to deliver a speech on his Michigan Senate campaign trail.
- Aug 31 Report noted that Arab Christian voters in Michigan tend to lean Republican while Muslim voters have largely backed El‑Sayed.
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