Michigan Senate Candidate El‑Sayed Campaigns With Hasan Piker, Drawing Intra‑Democratic Backlash Over Israel‑Gaza and Iran War Remarks
Abdul El‑Sayed campaigned with controversial streamer Hasan Piker at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan on April 7, drawing bipartisan Democratic criticism from Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, the ADL and centrist group Third Way over Piker’s past remarks—including his characterization of Oct. 7 as a “direct consequence” of Israeli and U.S. actions and other statements widely condemned as excusing violence. El‑Sayed defended appearing with Piker on Fox & Friends—explicitly saying he opposes rape and that 9/11 was not justified—called the backlash “cancel culture,” clarified his comments about Dearborn as concern over the human and financial costs of the Iran war, and said he is “no apologist for any regime,” as Piker accused prominent Democrats of echoing corporate donors amid a politically sensitive Michigan electorate with a large Arab, Muslim and Palestinian American population.
📌 Key Facts
- Hasan Piker appeared in person with Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El‑Sayed at campaign events at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan on April 7, 2026.
- El‑Sayed defended appearing with Piker in a Fox News 'Fox & Friends' interview (April 7), saying he distances himself from Piker’s past remarks—'Of course I oppose rape. Of course I don't think 9/11 was justified'—framing criticism as 'cancel culture' and arguing candidates should be willing to 'go and talk to anyone anywhere' to earn votes.
- El‑Sayed offered a revised explanation of his earlier comment that people in Dearborn were 'sad' over Ayatollah Khamenei’s death, saying 'all of us are sad today' because the Iran war is raising gas prices, costing U.S. service members’ lives, and consuming $1–2 billion a day in taxpayer funds; he added he is 'no apologist for any regime, including our own' and that 'the end doesn’t justify the means' regarding U.S. foreign interventions.
- Prominent Democrats and groups—including Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, the Anti‑Defamation League and centrist group Third Way—publicly criticized El‑Sayed’s decision to campaign with Piker; Stevens called it 'unacceptable' and McMorrow likened Piker to far‑right figure Nick Fuentes, calling him 'somebody who says extremely offensive things' for clicks.
- Coverage reiterated Piker’s past controversial comments—such as calling Oct. 7 a 'direct consequence' of Israeli and U.S. actions and saying it 'doesn't matter' if people were sexually assaulted in the Oct. 7 attack for his view of the conflict—which critics used to condemn El‑Sayed’s association with him.
- At the Michigan State rally, Piker rebutted critics by accusing prominent Democrats (including El‑Sayed’s opponents Stevens and McMorrow) of echoing 'corporate donors and foreign lobbyists' instead of responding adequately to Donald Trump’s Iran policy.
- The dispute is taking place in Michigan, a state with a large Arab, Muslim and Palestinian American population, and comes amid reporting on a sharp drop in Democratic support in Dearborn between 2020 and 2024.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2026, 80% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 69% the previous year, while only 41% of Republicans have an unfavorable view.
US views of Israel, Netanyahu more negative in 2026, especially among young people — Pew Research Center
Among U.S. adults under 50, majorities in both parties rate Israel unfavorably in 2026, with 57% of Republicans ages 18-49 holding an unfavorable opinion, up from 50% last year.
US views of Israel, Netanyahu more negative in 2026, especially among young people — Pew Research Center
Michigan's Arab American population is estimated at around 500,000, comprising about 5% of the state's population, with nearly half of recent Arab immigrants coming from Yemen and another 30% from Lebanon and Iraq, driven by U.S. immigration policies such as refugee admissions following conflicts in those countries.
Michigan — Arab American Institute
Pro-Israel groups have provided significant campaign contributions to U.S. Senate candidates, with top recipients including Charles Schumer (D-NY) receiving $1,727,974 and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) receiving $1,711,754 from 1990-2024, illustrating the lobby's long-term influence in elections.
Pro-Israel Recipients — OpenSecrets
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"A critical opinion piece arguing that Abdul El‑Sayed’s decision to campaign with controversial streamer Hasan Piker is politically risky, likely to alienate moderates and Jewish voters, and exemplifies a wider Democratic dilemma over using incendiary online influencers to energize the base."
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that Hasan Piker appeared in person with Abdul El-Sayed at campaign events at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan on April 7, 2026.
- Details public criticism of El-Sayed’s decision from Rep. Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, the Anti-Defamation League, and centrist group Third Way, including Stevens calling the move "unacceptable."
- Quotes McMorrow likening Piker to far-right figure Nick Fuentes as "somebody who says extremely offensive things" for clicks, and saying he is not someone candidates should be campaigning with during a period of pain and trauma.
- Reiterates specific controversial comments by Piker, including calling Oct. 7 a "direct consequence" of Israeli and U.S. actions and saying it "doesn't matter" if people were sexually assaulted in the Oct. 7 attack for his view of the conflict.
- Reports Piker’s rebuttal at the Michigan State rally accusing prominent Democrats—including El-Sayed’s opponents Stevens and McMorrow—of echoing "corporate donors and foreign lobbyists" instead of responding adequately to Donald Trump’s Iran policy.
- Places the fight in the context of Michigan’s large Arab, Muslim and Palestinian American population and the sharp drop in Democratic support in Dearborn between 2020 and 2024.
- El‑Sayed went on Fox News' 'Fox & Friends' and explicitly stated, 'Of course I oppose rape. Of course I don't think 9/11 was justified,' distancing himself from Hasan Piker’s past comments.
- He framed criticism of his appearance with Piker as 'cancel culture' and argued that candidates should be willing to 'go and talk to anyone anywhere' to earn votes.
- El‑Sayed offered a revised explanation of his earlier comment about people in Dearborn being 'sad' over Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, saying that 'all of us are sad today' because the Iran war is raising gas prices, costing U.S. service members’ lives, and consuming $1–2 billion a day in taxpayer funds.
- He described himself as 'no apologist for any regime, including our own,' and reiterated that 'the end doesn’t justify the means' regarding U.S. foreign interventions.