Hasan Piker ties turn into trouble for Abdul El-Sayed as Michigan senate race tightens

WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic Senate candidate from Michigan Abdul El-Sayed apparently distanced himself from controversial streamer Hasan Piker over Piker's comments about Jewish Americans.

During an appearance on MS NOW, El-Sayed downplayed his ties with the streamer, though host Katy Tur pushed back.

Abdul El-Sayed distances himself from Hasan Piker over Jewish comment

Michigan Senate nominee El-Sayed’s comments come just days after Hasan Piker suggested Jewish Americans are "making antisemitism worse" by supporting Israel.

The comment drew huge criticism even from Abdul El-Sayed, who has been alongside Piker on the campaign trail.

El-Sayed reiterated his pushback against Piker’s remark on Friday, August 28, during an appearance on MS NOW's 'The Moment with Katy Tur', as he tried to distance himself from Piker.

Host Tur pressed El-Sayed on his association with Piker, saying that Jewish voters are “worried about your association with Hasan Piker. Why? Why keep him so close? Or why not fully disassociate yourself with him, especially when Michigan is so tight.”

"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 said.

Tur pushed back, arguing the "streamer in California does campaign with a lot of Democrats. So he’s not just a streamer."

El-Sayed appeared to continue distancing himself from Piker, despite Tur’s pushback.

"This campaign is about the challenges Michiganders face," El-Sayed continued. "And I get that, in the media, it’s a lot easier to pick up one person and be like, ‘This is what this is about’. But this is why a lot of people get so frustrated about politics and political media, because it doesn’t actually speak to the challenges they face," he said.

Abdul El-Sayed vows to address antisemitism after Piker backlash

"I believe all Americans deserve the right to advocate for what they believe without fear of violence. This is particularly true for communities that have been intimidated for their beliefs in the past," El-Sayed said in a statement following Piker’s remarks.

He added that "Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms," while promising to "stand against any rhetoric that puts the community at risk."

"And 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," El-Sayed added.