Left-wing Twitch streamer Hasan Piker acknowledged in a recent podcast that his 2019 comment about the September 11 attacks could have been worded better, but he stood by his use of harsh language against ethno-racial supremacist groups. The remark, which he made during a live broadcast, has resurfaced and is now affecting the Michigan Senate campaign of Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who has campaigned with Piker.
During an interview on Medhi Hasan's Zeteo podcast, Piker revisited the controversy, saying, "I said it in 2019, and you know if you listen to the full conversation, you very quickly understand what I'm talking about." He added, "I should have phrased things better. I apologize for those who I have offended, but most importantly, apologize for giving an opportunity the right to just like use this against me."
The original comment, made in August 2019, was that the U.S. "totally brought it on ourselves" regarding the terrorist attacks. Piker walked back the remarks two days later in an interview with The Young Turks, but the clip continued to follow him. He said that after the clip gained traction, he was featured on Fox News and received an "unbelievable amount of death threats."
Now, seven years later, the controversy has become a campaign issue in Michigan, where El-Sayed is running for Senate. Republicans have used Piker's ties to El-Sayed in attack ads, questioning the candidate's judgment and foreign policy views, particularly on the Middle East. El-Sayed has been a vocal critic of AIPAC's influence and has opposed some of its lobbying efforts, which has drawn scrutiny.
Piker, who describes himself as a socialist, admitted that he frequently uses pejoratives like "pig-dog" and "inbreds" for Israeli settlers and other ethno-racial supremacist groups. However, he noted that he has toned down his language regarding Israel to avoid giving ammunition to critics. "I still definitely utilize the term inbred quite frequently when talking about religious and ethno-supremacist groups, but with the exception of anything that touches Israel, because I don't want people to just keep weaponizing that against you," he said.
Piker also criticized the Anti-Defamation League for its efforts to get him banned from social platforms, saying, "I've called Republicans inbred hicks my whole life. I call you know Nazis inbred. I call them pigs. You know all these different things. I've gotten banned for this."
During a Sunday appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," El-Sayed defended his association with Piker, saying that Piker "disavowed" his past remarks. "It was a dumb statement," El-Sayed said. "And, of course, I think Hasan, himself, would say that was a dumb statement. He disavowed it."
The controversy highlights the growing influence of online political figures like Piker, who have become significant players in Democratic primaries and general elections. As Gen Z increasingly consumes political content on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, candidates like El-Sayed are embracing these partnerships despite the risks. The episode also underscores the challenges that Democratic candidates face in navigating the party's diverse coalition, as online politics stirs infighting within the party.
El-Sayed's campaign has sought to focus on kitchen-table issues, but the Piker connection has become a recurring theme in attack ads. In a recent debate, his opponent, Senator John Fetterman, dared El-Sayed to keep campaigning with Piker, a move that some see as an attempt to tie him to the controversial streamer. Meanwhile, polls show that voters are increasingly concerned about Middle East instability, a topic where El-Sayed's views have been scrutinized.
As the race tightens, Piker's influence remains a double-edged sword for El-Sayed. While Piker's large following could help mobilize young voters, his past statements provide ammunition for opponents. El-Sayed's ability to navigate this controversy may prove crucial in the coming weeks.
