Stephen A. Smith discusses potential political impact of Hasan Piker on Democrats

<p>ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith expressed concerns on Thursday that far-left streamer Hasan Piker could pose a risk for Democrats in the upcoming general election. During an interview with Politico host Dasha Burns on "The Conversation with Dasha Burns," Smith stated that Piker's influence might extend beyond the progressive base and provide Republicans with leverage against Democratic candidates who align with him.</p><p>Smith indicated that he believes Piker's increasing political presence could ultimately be detrimental to the Democratic Party. "It's a negative because I think, over the long haul, from a general populist perspective, it's going to contaminate the electorate on the left side of the aisle," he said. "It's going to come back to haunt them."</p><p>The Republican National Committee (RNC) has already sought to leverage Piker's connections with Democratic candidates to criticize the party. RNC national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre stated in August that Democrats were not addressing Piker's influence, particularly as Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed faced scrutiny for campaigning with him.</p><p>Baldassarre characterized El-Sayed as a "terrorist sympathizer and an America-hating socialist," claiming that his unwillingness to distance himself from Piker, whom she described as a "Hamas-hugging radical," reflects a troubling allegiance. She stated, "Democrats' refusal to disavow this clown shows they either share his poisonous ideology or they're too cowardly to confront it."</p><p>Smith's comments come amid Piker's growing role in Democratic politics, particularly in a significant Senate race. A recent Fox News poll of Michigan registered voters indicated that Republican nominee Mike Rogers was leading El-Sayed 51% to 47%, a margin within the sampling error. While 98% of self-identified Democratic Socialists of America supporters backed El-Sayed, his support dropped to 69% among non-DSA Democrats and independents.</p><p>El-Sayed has previously explained to Smith why he has resisted calls to disavow Piker, who has supported him and appeared alongside him during the campaign. "What I'm saying is there are 3 million people who listen to Hasan," El-Sayed said. "I want to offer them a pathway into an electoral movement where, rather than sit outside of the electoral system, they see a pathway around the things that they agree with that he says that I agree with and a pathway that disavows the things that I disagree with. And, so, it's important."</p><p>Smith summarized El-Sayed's approach as an effort to appeal to Piker's audience rather than an endorsement of Piker himself. "So, you're not thinking about him. You’re thinking about the 3 million people that support him, and you're trying to get those votes. That's what you're saying?" Smith asked.</p><p>El-Sayed confirmed Smith’s interpretation, stating, "Exactly."</p><p>Fox News Digital reported last week that El-Sayed attempted to distance his campaign from Piker following backlash over Piker's comments regarding American Jews and Israel. Piker has endorsed El-Sayed and participated in multiple campaign events, including a gathering on primary night.</p><p>Piker has faced ongoing controversy related to his political rhetoric, including a 2019 statement that "America deserved 9/11," which he later retracted, as well as recent remarks concerning Israel and American Jews.</p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to Piker, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and the RNC for comment but did not receive immediate responses.</p>