The Hasan Piker question Abdul El-Sayed once dodged now has a very different answer

WASHINGTON, DC: Months after refusing to condemn political streamer Hasan Piker over his claim that "America deserved 9/11," Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed has now called the remark "dumb." 

This marks a notable shift as Republicans and some Democrats continue scrutinizing his association with the progressive commentator during one of the country's most closely watched Senate races.

Speaking on NBC's 'Meet the Press' on Sunday, August 9, El-Sayed said Piker's remark was wrong but argued that the streamer had already disavowed it. He also insisted he should be judged by his own words and record rather than comments made by political allies.

The change is significant because El-Sayed had previously declined to denounce Piker's remarks, dismissing questions about the controversy as "gotcha politics" and refusing to participate in what he called "platform policing."

El-Sayed's latest remarks come as his campaign faces heightened national attention following his Democratic primary victory and amid continued attacks from President Donald Trump and Republican allies.

Earlier stance meets new scrutiny

During Sunday's interview, El-Sayed directly condemned Piker's comments for the first time.

"Of course it was a dumb statement, and of course I think Hasan himself would say that was a dumb statement," he said.

El-Sayed added that "of course America didn't deserve 9/11."

He also criticized what he described as a return to "cancel culture," saying he preferred voters judge him by his own actions instead of those of supporters or endorsers.

The answer was notably different from the one El-Sayed gave earlier this year. When asked about Piker's remarks in an April interview with Politico, he declined to condemn the streamer, saying, "I'm not here to disavow people's views."

Controversy keeps following campaign

Despite distancing himself from Piker's remarks, El-Sayed stopped short of saying he would end campaign appearances with the popular streamer.

Instead, he told NBC, "I'm less concerned now with who I'm campaigning with and a lot more concerned about who I'm campaigning to."

His relationship with Piker has become one of the defining flashpoints of the Michigan Senate race, drawing criticism from Republicans and some Democrats alike.

Former Press Secretary to Jill Biden, Michael LaRosa, publicly criticized El-Sayed after the interview, arguing elected officials should unequivocally reject comments suggesting America "deserved" the September 11 attacks.

The controversy has remained a recurring line of attack as Republicans reportedly seek to tie El-Sayed to progressive figures viewed as politically divisive.