Controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker said this week that the United States is worse than al Qaeda, giving Republicans a new weapon against Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed and forcing the party to respond.
Piker, a self-described socialist, made the remarks on The Axios Show, telling journalist Alex Thompson that "pound for pound as far as the number of deaths," America surpasses the terrorist group responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks.
It is Piker's second inflammatory statement about 9/11. He previously said the country "deserved" the attacks—a remark he later retracted—and used a framed newspaper featuring the Twin Towers as a backdrop for his streams, according to Rep. Josh Gottheimer.
Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, condemned the latest comments. "Comparing America to al-Qaeda wasn't an accident—Piker has built a brand on anti-American hate," he said, adding that Piker has "spent years excusing the very terrorists who've targeted our country."
Mike Rogers, the Republican rival in Michigan, called el Sayed "the most anti-American candidate across the country" in a Fox News interview, citing his affiliation with Piker. The Republican Party's official X account shared a clip of Piker's remarks and labeled him a "Democrat spokesman."
As of Thursday, el Sayed had not publicly addressed Piker's latest comparison. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Last month, el Sayed called Piker's earlier "deserved 9/11" remark "dumb" after reporters asked about it.
Piker, 35, defended himself on social media. He wrote, "He asked, i gave a nuanced answer. we've armed al qaeda since 9/11, we made its former commander the president of syria." In another post, he said, "Our elites terrorize the entire world while ordinary americans continue to foot the bill."
Sen. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat known for strongly supporting Israel, openly criticized his party's ties to Piker. "I think I've lost to Piker. Democrats love him. They campaign with him and they defend him," Fetterman told the Washington Examiner, highlighting his frustration with some party members.
Piker's remarks came as el Sayed met with Senate Democrats at their campaign headquarters in Washington on Wednesday. Despite opposition from top leadership, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, el Sayed won backing from his potential future colleagues.
Michigan Democratic Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters have both endorsed el Sayed. Peters is retiring from his seat, which el Sayed seeks to fill in the upcoming election.
Both Piker and el Sayed have been vocal critics of Israel and the Gaza conflict, a stance that has intensified the controversy surrounding their association.
