DETROIT — Dr. Abdul El-Sayed made a bold move on the night before his Senate primary by appearing alongside controversial left-wing commentator Hasan Piker. Piker, who once sparked outrage with his comment that “America deserved 9/11,” joined El-Sayed as he delivered a poignant speech addressing the nation’s imperfections.
Piker expressed amazement at the support El-Sayed garners, noting, “I’ve seen a surprising number of enthusiastic white male voters backing you in the Democratic primaries. These are individuals who typically don’t participate in voting, especially not in primaries, and certainly not for a Democrat.”
The duo also mocked veteran Democratic strategist James Carville’s suggestion that he might leave the party if Piker gains influence. The commentator quipped that such a departure would be “an added incentive.”
Reflecting on political dynamics, El-Sayed remarked, “Consider the Trump phenomenon, where many center-right individuals realized their political home was no longer welcoming. They then shifted to our party, attempting to dictate its direction.”
El-Sayed’s collaboration with Piker has not been without its critics, especially given the latter’s history of incendiary remarks.
Earlier this year, Piker mused that, “if you cared about Medicare fraud or Medicaid fraud, you would kill Rick Scott.”
He has also claimed that the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel was a “direct consequence” of the Jewish state’s actions and that if they engaged in rape, it “doesn’t change the dynamic for me.”
Additionally, Piker has defended the US-designated terrorist group Hezbollah and praised the “brave mujahideen” who injured outgoing Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas).
Piker has conceded that some of those statements were wrong.
El-Sayed has refused to denounce Piker and rejected the pressure to do so as cancel culture, while caveating that he disagrees with some of the things the streamer has said.
During his final rally before primary day, which took place at the Congregation in Detroit, Piker stood in the audience, alongside Colorado congressional hopeful Melat Kiros, Michigan congressional hopeful Donavan McKinney, and other lefties.
He used his final speech to reflect on the country’s 250th anniversary and history of sins with slavery, the treatment of Native Americans, and racism.
“Despite moral failures, despite the challenges of our country, there has always been one thing about this country that was bigger than all those things: is that inside our country we have the capacity to correct,” he said.
“I love America. And I love America because I know exactly what my life should have been but for the accident of history that allowed me to be born in America,” he added. “I got vaccinated against diseases that killed an aunt and uncle I never got to meet.”