Abdul El-Sayed Reportedly Asked Hasan Piker to Tone Down Rhetoric
Michigan Senate candidate allegedly warned streamer that controversial statements on Israel were costing him votes.
Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, reportedly contacted Twitch streamer Hasan Piker to ask him to moderate his rhetoric, according to a CNN report.
El-Sayed allegedly warned Piker that his public statements, particularly concerning Israel, were negatively impacting El-Sayed's campaign and costing him votes. Two individuals with knowledge of the conversation told CNN about the alleged call. Piker declined to comment on the matter.
This outreach reportedly occurred after Piker made controversial remarks, including comments that appeared to blame American Jews for antisemitic attacks based on their support for Israel. Piker had also previously suggested that America "deserved" 9/11.
During the primary election, El-Sayed had appeared on the campaign trail with Piker. However, following the controversies surrounding Piker's statements, El-Sayed began to distance himself from the streamer. El-Sayed has stated that his campaign has no affiliation with Piker and that any conversations were to engage with potential voters.
El-Sayed has faced criticism for his initial association with Piker and for not immediately disavowing his comments. In August, El-Sayed began to publicly distance himself from Piker. He has since stated that he does not plan to appear with Piker again and referred to him as simply a "Twitch streamer in California."