Ben Shapiro Calls El-Sayed, Mamdani, Piker, and Uygur 'Anti-American'

Conservative media personality Ben Shapiro has stated that Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, New York politician Zohran Mamdani, streamer Hasan Piker, and The Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur should not be in the United States. Shapiro made these remarks on his podcast, The Ben Shapiro Show, on Monday.

Shapiro's comments came after playing a clip of Piker discussing backlash El-Sayed faced for inviting the streamer to campaign events. Shapiro then accused El-Sayed of holding views similar to Piker, whom he described as a "radical, anti-American, Islamist who supports terrorism."

The commentator also pointed to remarks El-Sayed made following an attack on a suburban Detroit synagogue in March. El-Sayed had commented, "hurt people hurt people" in response to the attack, an action he later apologized for, stating he was offering context but acknowledged it was not the appropriate time. Shapiro criticized El-Sayed's apology, suggesting it indicated he did not disagree with his initial sentiment but merely found the timing offensive.

Shapiro extended his criticism to Mamdani, Piker, and Uygur, asserting they shared similar views and that "the West continues to import these people." He questioned the benefit to the United States from the immigration of El-Sayed's parents from Egypt, as well as the families of Mamdani, Uygur, and Piker. Piker was born in New Jersey but raised in Turkey, while Uygur was born in Istanbul and moved to the U.S. at age eight.

Shapiro also criticized Piker for wearing attire reminiscent of Chairman Mao Zedong. Piker, who identifies as a socialist, has faced criticism for pro-Palestine rhetoric. Piker and Uygur were reportedly denied entry to Britain in June due to their criticisms of Israel's actions in Gaza.

El-Sayed, an epidemiologist and former Wayne County Health Department director, is running for the U.S. Senate. Shapiro's remarks suggest a broad critique of individuals he perceives as undermining American democracy and values, particularly those with immigrant backgrounds or ties to Muslim-majority countries.