9/11 Hero's Father Appears in Ad Criticizing Critic of America

David Beamer, the father of Todd Beamer, a passenger who died on Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, has appeared in a campaign ad for Republican Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers. The ad criticizes Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and his past association with streamer Hasan Piker, who has made controversial remarks about the 9/11 attacks.

The video, produced by the Great Lakes Conservative Fund, a super PAC supporting Rogers, features a 2019 clip of Piker stating that America "deserved 9/11." The ad then shows clips of El-Sayed appearing on Piker's Twitch livestream and refusing to disavow Piker when questioned.

Beamer, who narrates the advertisement, speaks about his son's actions on Flight 93. "Those 43 people on Flight 93 were not victims. They were killed in action. When I hear anyone suggest America 'deserves 9/11' my question is, ‘Who would say that?’" Beamer states in the ad.

El-Sayed has previously stated that he rejects Piker's 9/11 remarks but has not fully renounced the streamer, who previously campaigned with him during the Democratic primary. El-Sayed's campaign has not immediately responded to requests for comment.

Elizabeth Pipko, a former spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, expressed disappointment that families of 9/11 victims are still required to engage in political discourse to protect the legacies of their loved ones. "Todd Beamer’s family knows better than most the pain that anti-American sentiment and terrorism can inflict on us all," Pipko said. "In honor of Todd Beamer and all the brave Americans taken from us too soon, we have a job to do — in November and beyond."

Theo Wold, a former assistant attorney general, commented that Piker's past statements will continue to be an issue for El-Sayed's campaign as long as the candidate does not fully denounce him. "El Sayed refuses to denounce Piker not just because they’re friends but Leftists like them don’t believe there are any boundaries when they are pursuing their ideological goals," Wold stated.