Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., declared Wednesday that she is finished answering questions about Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, emphasizing that the upcoming U.S. Senate race in Michigan is focused on substantive issues, not online personalities.
During a student town hall event with Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., Dingell directly addressed the media's focus on Piker. "I am done, so don’t any reporter ask me again about Hasan Piker," Dingell stated. "It’s not what November is about. Republicans are trying to make it. They’re trying to divide us, and we got to stop letting them try to divide us."
Dingell elaborated on her disagreement with Piker's statements, particularly concerning women and his comments on Israel. "I don’t agree with Hasan Piker on a lot of stuff, and I really don’t agree with him on some of the woman things he said," she said. "And I’m still trying to figure out, is it the reason he exercises and looks buff is why he has so many followers."
Later, in an appearance on CNN's "Situation Room," Dingell reiterated her criticism. "I’m tired of people trying to drag me into it. I strongly disagree with many of the things that Hasan Piker has said, from Israel to, quite frankly, if you’re a woman who has fought against sexual violence and domestic violence her whole life, what he has said about rape, etc., is simply inexcusable," she said.
Dingell stressed that the election should center on issues like reversing healthcare cuts, addressing hunger among children and seniors, and preventing a continuation of Trump-era policies. "I think that — what I know that this election’s about in November is being able to reverse the healthcare cuts that we’ve had in this country, the millions of Americans who don’t have healthcare right now, the kids that are already going hungry, and the seniors, because we’ve cut the SNAP program. And we have to elect somebody that is not going to be a rubber stamp to the Trump policies we have seen the last two years," she stated. She added that El-Sayed should make it clear he does not align with Piker's views.
A spokesperson for Dingell confirmed her stance, stating that the congresswoman will not answer further questions about Piker. "She doesn’t agree with him on many things, but this election isn’t about him. It’s about healthcare, affordability, hunger, and other issues that impact working men and women."
Dingell's remarks come as several Democratic politicians have publicly condemned Piker following controversial statements, including remarks that suggested American Jews could become targets of violence if perceived as solely invested in Israel. Among those who have spoken out against Piker are Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., as well as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., Brad Schneider, D-Ill., Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., and Hillary Scholten, D-Mich.
El-Sayed, who has previously campaigned with Piker, has also distanced himself from the streamer. "While politicians and pundits try to make this race about a Twitch streamer, we’re going to be talking about gas, groceries, good schools, and healthcare. Because that’s what Michiganders keep asking about," a statement released by El-Sayed's campaign read.
A spokesperson for Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan commented on the situation, suggesting that Dingell's distancing from Piker indicates a problematic agenda for Democrats in the state.