Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed is under scrutiny over his campaign’s associations with far-left personality Hasan Piker. Concerns have been raised by Democrats about Piker’s controversial statements regarding U.S. Jews, prompting calls for distancing themselves from him.
Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer joined ‘America Reports’ to discuss this backlash and the rising concerns about antisemitism within far-left circles.
Democratic Senators Elissa Slotkin from Michigan and Jacky Rosen from Nevada have criticized Hasan Piker. Piker stated that Jewish Americans could potentially face consequences for their unwavering support of Israel. In a recent stream, Piker commented, “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.”
Senator Slotkin, considered a likely contender for the 2028 presidential election, responded to Hasan Piker’s remarks. She highlighted the unacceptable threat of violence based on political views. According to Slotkin, this applies irrespective of whether someone is pro-Israel or takes any other stance.
Slotkin emphasized, “This shouldn’t be hard: no community should face the threat [of] violence for their political views. Period. Blaming the victims of violence for bringing it on themselves only further endangers people.”
She indicated that such views contribute to political violence normalization. Slotkin concluded, “In a time where political violence and anti-semitism has been increasing — and where just 6 months ago Michigan had a nearly deadly event of anti-semitic mass violence at Temple Israel — no one should causally be suggesting that anyone, Jews or otherwise, are to blame for being targeted.”
Senator Jacky Rosen issued a similar rebuke, labeling Piker’s comments as a significant low. She stated, “Hasan Piker has been trafficking in antisemitic tropes for a while but even this is a new low.”
Rosen emphasized the danger of blaming Jewish Americans for the violence they experience. Such rhetoric, she noted, excuses those committing anti-Jewish hate crimes. “Let me be absolutely clear: crimes against Jews for being Jews is antisemitism plain and simple. There’s no excuse for it.”
Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate in Michigan’s Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate, previously claimed no obligation to account for Piker’s comments. However, he distanced himself from the latest controversy.
Piker’s history includes contentious remarks such as “America deserved 9/11” and praise for an official’s notion to “‘impoverish the White middle-class.’”
Many politicians, including Democrats, have criticized Piker, suggesting his views blame Jewish communities for being victims of attacks.
Representatives for Hasan Piker did not provide immediate responses when contacted by Fox News Digital.