Democratic Senate Primary Intensifies as Candidate Allies with Controversial Streamer Who Made 9/11 Remarks

In a contentious development that has heightened tensions within Michigan’s Democratic Party, Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed faces mounting criticism over his scheduled campus rallies with controversial progressive streamer Hasan Piker at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.

El-Sayed, who finished as the runner-up in Michigan’s 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary and carries the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders, is courting younger progressive voters in what has become an increasingly divisive primary battle. The decision to appear alongside Piker, however, has ignited backlash from both Democratic rivals and Republican opponents.

Piker, who commands millions of followers across YouTube, Instagram, and X, brings significant influence among young progressives. But his controversial history includes statements such as “America deserved 9/11” and describing Hamas as the “lesser of two evils” in the Israel-Gaza conflict. Critics have labeled him antisemitic, pointing to his sharp criticism of Israel and what they characterize as downplaying of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

The timing of these campus events has proven particularly problematic, coming less than two weeks after a man rammed his truck into a Michigan synagogue in what authorities described as a targeted act of domestic terrorism against the Jewish community.

El-Sayed’s primary opponents have been quick to condemn his decision. Representative Haley Stevens issued a statement declaring it “unacceptable for a candidate wanting to represent all Michiganders to campaign with Hasan Piker, a person who is unapologetic about a career of making hurtful and anti-Semitic comments.” State Senator Mallory McMorrow similarly criticized the move, telling Jewish Insider that Piker is “somebody who says extremely offensive things in order to generate clicks.”

The criticism extends beyond his primary rivals. Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan has joined the Anti-Defamation League in charging Piker with antisemitism, while Matt Bennett of the moderate Democratic group Third Way called El-Sayed a “disgrace to the Democratic Party.”

Former Republican Representative Mike Rogers, who is expected to secure the GOP Senate nomination in Michigan, seized on the controversy, stating, “If you would have told me a few years ago that Democrat frontrunners would campaign with known antisemites, I would’ve thought you were crazy. But one thing Abdul continues to prove, there’s no limit to how far left Democrats will go.”

El-Sayed has defended his decision to appear with Piker, pointing out that Democrats allowed Piker to stream at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. During an appearance on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom,” El-Sayed emphasized that “just because you invite somebody to campaign with you, or you’re engaging with them does not mean that you agree with them.” He added that the partnership was about reaching “a broader audience,” noting that “every day, 30,000 people and counting tune in to Hassan’s stream.”

The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of a crucial Senate race in Michigan that could determine the balance of power in Washington. With Democratic Senator Gary Peters retiring, Michigan has become one of the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s top targets as Republicans seek to maintain or expand their 53-47 majority in the chamber.

As El-Sayed, Stevens, and McMorrow prepare for an early August primary, the Piker controversy highlights the delicate balancing act Democratic candidates face in appealing to progressive voters while avoiding associations that might alienate moderate and independent voters in a key battleground state.