Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul el Sayed is facing calls from both sides of the aisle to disavow socialist Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who has made many inflammatory comments while campaigning with and endorsing el Sayed for Senate.
El Sayed put out a statement on Monday distancing himself from Piker after the commentator said in a Twitch stream, while referencing Jewish Democratic state Sen. Jeremy Moss, that “eventually someone is going to come around and take action… against American Jews” if they “keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel.” El Sayed criticized Piker’s comment in his formal statement, but did not completely disavow him, prompting bipartisan backlash to el Sayed’s stance.
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In his statement, el Sayed first addressed Piker’s remark, saying, “I believe all Americans deserve the right to advocate for what they believe without fear of violence. This is particularly true for communities that have been intimidated for their beliefs in the past.”
The Michigan candidate said his “commitment to Jewish safety” is equal to his “commitment to the safety of my own daughters” and called antisemitism “a scourge,” saying he stands “against any rhetoric that puts the community at risk.” El Sayed then addressed Piker and his relationship to the streamer.
“But I want to be crystal clear, nobody speaks for this campaign besides me and my campaign spokespeople,” el Sayed said in the statement. “And while politicians and pundits try to make this race about a Twitch streamer, we’re going to be talking about gas, groceries, good schools, and healthcare. Because that’s what Michiganders keep asking about.”
El Sayed has distanced himself from Piker in several ways, including by releasing his above statement and by disavowing Piker’s comments that “America deserved 9/11,” but the Senate candidate has not completely disavowed Piker or his support. The two have appeared together on the campaign trail, and el Sayed still boasts Piker’s endorsement.
This has caused a rupture on the left in Michigan, where state Democrats like Moss and Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI) have yet to endorse el Sayed while bashing Piker and his commentary. Moss released a statement following el Sayed’s statement on Piker, saying that the streamer and the Senate candidate are having conversations on “Jewish and Arab safety and security, both here at home in Michigan and in the Middle East.”
“There is still work ahead to unite our ticket despite our differences. It won’t happen overnight, nor should it,” Moss said in a statement. “It will require continuing outreach that is credible and authentic.”
Moss did clarify in his statement that he is not supporting GOP nominee for Michigan Senate Mike Rogers, saying: “I will never agree with Mike Rogers’ dangerous election denial, backing of ICE’s cruelty, and obedience to Donald Trump and his future court picks that will erode our rights.”
Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI) has also not endorsed el Sayed, distancing herself from him over his proximity to Piker. She called Piker a “hack who thrives on hate, shock, and awe” in the wake of his comments related to Moss.
Rogers has capitalized on the rift among Democrats over Piker, attempting to appeal to voters who think el Sayed should completely disavow Piker. Rogers said in a statement that el Sayed “doesn’t have the guts to disavow his running mate,” referring to Piker. He also made a pitch to Moss directly on X.
“Let me be clear: I’m in no way expecting you to support me — but in the Senate, I will defend your right to safety regardless,” Rogers wrote to Moss on X. “Meanwhile, Abdul won’t call out the ‘twitch streamer’ threatening you and other American Jews.”
ABDUL EL SAYED OPPOSES HASAN PIKER AFTER MICHIGAN DEMOCRAT CALLS HIM A ‘HACK’ AND ‘DANGEROUS’
Rogers and el Sayed are locked in a toss-up race to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) in the upper chamber.
Polls have gone back and forth between the two candidates, showing a tight race in the lead-up to November in a state that President Donald Trump flipped in 2024.
