Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed distances himself from streamer Hasan Piker after controversial remarks
Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed issued a statement distancing his campaign from Twitch streamer Hasan Piker following the streamer’s comments linking support for Israel to potential violence against American Jews.
Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed, said on Monday that only he and his campaign staff speak for his campaign, as he seeks to separate himself from Twitch streamer Hasan Piker. The clarification came after Piker, who has endorsed El-Sayed and appeared at campaign events, warned that if American Jews continue to be portrayed as singularly invested in Israel, “someone is going to come around and take action, not against the state of Israel, mind you, but against American Jews.”
Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers cited the remarks in a social-media post, accusing El-Sayed of tolerating “violent and hateful rhetoric.” In response, El-Sayed affirmed his commitment to safety for all communities, stating, “My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own daughters. Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms.”
El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director who would become the nation’s first Muslim senator if elected, has faced criticism for his past statements on Israel’s actions in Gaza and for describing the Israeli military as “bloodthirsty.” He has repeatedly emphasized solidarity with Jewish residents and condemned antisemitism, while also opposing unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel.
The controversy has intensified as Rogers courts disaffected Democratic voters, including some Jewish constituents who feel uneasy about El-Sayed’s stance on Israel and his association with Piker. A local rabbi publicly declared support for Rogers, describing Piker as “a vicious antisemite and racist.” Meanwhile, the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus distanced itself from an open letter urging Jewish voters to back Rogers, noting the party’s commitment to remain neutral in the race.
El-Sayed’s communications director said the candidate continues to differentiate criticism of Israeli policy from antisemitism and remains in regular dialogue with Jewish leaders across the state as he builds a coalition to defeat Rogers.