Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is working to distance himself from streamer Hasan Piker following Piker's recent controversial remarks about Jewish Americans. Appearing on MS NOW's "The Moment with Katy Tur" on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, El-Sayed attempted to shift the focus of the campaign away from his association with the streamer.
Piker's comments, in which he suggested that Jewish Americans were "making antisemitism worse" by supporting Israel, drew criticism from El-Sayed. El-Sayed had previously stated, "Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms," and vowed to "stand against any rhetoric that puts the community at risk."
During the interview, host Katy Tur pressed El-Sayed on his ties to Piker, questioning why he wouldn't fully disassociate himself, particularly in a closely contested race in Michigan where the previous Senate election was decided by a narrow margin. El-Sayed responded by emphasizing the campaign's focus on issues pertinent to Michigan voters, such as affordability, healthcare, and education.
"This campaign is not about a streamer in California. This campaign is about affordability in Michigan. This campaign is about the ability to have healthcare," El-Sayed stated. He suggested that focusing on Piker was a media narrative that detracted from the real challenges facing constituents.
Tur countered that Piker's influence extended beyond just streaming, and that a close association could be detrimental in a tight race. El-Sayed reiterated his commitment to addressing economic issues and criticized the media for prioritizing the streamer controversy over voter concerns.
"Ten in 10 Americans agree that they can’t afford the things that they need in their lives," El-Sayed replied. "So, if folks want to make this about a streamer in California, they’re welcome to do that. But I’m focused on Donald Trump. I’m focused on addressing the affordability crisis. I’m focused on getting you healthcare. And that’s what I’m going to stay focused on."
Jason Mudd, CEO of Axia Public Relations, commented to Fox News Digital that attempts to distance oneself from controversial statements often prove ineffective. Mudd advised that candidates should instead clearly articulate their own positions and beliefs. He suggested that ambiguity keeps a story alive and that reporters will continue to ask follow-up questions if answers are not perceived as complete.
A representative for El-Sayed indicated to Fox News Digital that the candidate has no plans to campaign with Piker in the future, according to a report by The Hill.