Abdul El-Sayed Addresses Concerns Over Hasan Piker Ties on 'Face the Nation'

<p>Michigan Democratic Senate candidate <a href="https://foxnews.com/category/politics/abdul-el-sayed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Abdul El-Sayed</a> responded to questions on Sunday regarding his relationship with Hasan Piker during an interview on "Face the Nation." El-Sayed stated that the race was not focused on "a Twitch streamer in California." </p><p>CBS News' Weijia Jiang asked El-Sayed about concerns from Jewish Michiganders regarding his ties to Piker, a streamer known for his far-left views who has campaigned with El-Sayed. Jiang inquired, "There are Jewish voters in your state who are concerned about your relationship with Piker. You have condemned antisemitism but not called out his rhetoric directly. Why not?" </p><p>El-Sayed did not directly answer the question, instead asserting that voters were more interested in issues affecting their daily lives, such as grocery prices and healthcare. He remarked, "Weiija, with all due respect, this is the third time you’ve asked about a Twitch streamer in California. I’ve done four events in Michigan this week. You know what didn’t come up? Twitch streamers in California." </p><p>He added, "I’m not interested in having a conversation about streamers in California because they are not raising the prices of gas and groceries." </p><p>El-Sayed is not the only Democrat to address questions about Piker. Last month, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., urged reporters to stop asking her about Piker, claiming that "Republicans are trying to make" the race about him. </p><p>Dingell stated, "I don’t agree with Hasan Piker on a lot of stuff, and I really don’t agree with him on some of the woman things he said." </p><p>Piker has publicly supported El-Sayed, advocating for Democrats to penalize those within the party who oppose him. He stated, "You can't be out here saying like, 'Oh, I'm a centrist Democrat. And I think Abdul is a bridge too far.' That must be punished." </p><p>While El-Sayed has previously appeared with Piker, he mentioned in August that he had "no plans" to campaign with Piker following controversial remarks made by the streamer regarding Jewish Americans' support for Israel. Piker stated, "People don't f--- with Israel any longer. And if Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they're singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone will come around and take action not against Israel, mind you, but against American Jews." </p><p>Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., condemned Piker, labeling him "a hack who thrives on hate, shock and awe because he lacks substance." </p><p>Several Democratic lawmakers, including Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J.; Jon Ossoff, D-Ga.; Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.; and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.; as well as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., have spoken out against Piker's comments. </p><p>El-Sayed also addressed Piker's remarks, denouncing antisemitism and rhetoric that endangers the Jewish community, stating, "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." He emphasized his commitment to Jewish safety, stating, "Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms. And I stand against any rhetoric that puts the community at risk." </p>