Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, allegedly called far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker and asked him to tone down his rhetoric, according to a CNN article published Wednesday.
CNN reporter Edward-Isaac Dovere wrote that although the progressive candidate has denied attempting to modulate his positions ahead of November’s election, El-Sayed has avoided discussing hot-button topics such as Israel and American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) funding.
Another “concession” Dovere highlighted was El-Sayed distancing himself from Piker despite campaigning with the streamer during the primary election. The CNN reporter revealed that El-Sayed had, in fact, reached out to Piker as his comments regarding Israel caused more controversy.
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“El-Sayed recently called Piker and warned his rhetoric was costing El-Sayed votes, asking him to stop, according to two people El-Sayed told about the conversation,” Dovere reported, noting that Piker declined to comment on the issue.
El-Sayed has faced backlash for campaigning with Piker, who has a history of making controversial statements such as suggesting America “deserved” 9/11. Though El-Sayed repeatedly said that he did not agree with all of Piker’s beliefs, he declined to disavow Piker’s comments.
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The Michigan Democrat eventually began distancing himself from Piker in August after Piker appeared to blame American Jews for antisemitic attacks based on their support for Israel.
“If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone is going to come around and take action, not against the state of Israel, mind you, but against American Jews,” Piker said during one of his streams.
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Since then, El-Sayed has said he has no plans to appear with Piker and insisted that his campaign has nothing to do with a “Twitch streamer in California.”
“The question is not about a relationship I got with a streamer in California. There’s not a relationship. The reason I have a conversation with him is the same reason I have a conversation with you. Because I want to talk to the folks out here who I want to have a conversation with. Do you think that you’re better off now after two years of [President] Donald Trump?” Abdul said on Fox News‘ “The Story with Martha MacCallum” on Monday.
Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed’s campaign and Piker for comment.
