El-Sayed ignites firestorm after sharing 9/11 message on social media: 'Piece of s---'

M. S. El‑Sayed’s 9/11 Tribute Sparks Online Backlash Amid Campaign Ties to Twitch Streamer

Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El‑Sayed drew a flurry of criticism after he posted a brief reflection on the 9/11 attacks on the social‑media platform X (formerly Twitter). The post, which was later removed, began with the line “They didn’t just attack America that day they attacked the idea of America” and went on to describe the nation as “a place where freedom and commitment to justice bind us.” El‑Sayed concluded by saying “Today on 9/11 we remember the lives that were taken from us in a terrible act of terrorism.”

El‑Sayed’s message, intended as a solemn reminder of the tragedy, was interpreted by some as a political statement. Within hours, the tweet ignited a backlash from conservative commentators and former GOP officials, many of whom pointed to the candidate’s close ties with Hasan Piker, a Twitch streamer known for polarizing comments about the United States.

Immediate Social‑Media Response

The first to react was the X account @Libs_of_Tiktok, a conservative‑leaning outlet that routinely posts about cultural issues. The account replied, “Shut up, you FRAUD,” in a brief comment that quickly gained traction.

Former Senator Ted Cruz staffer Steve Guest posted a photograph of El‑Sayed standing beside Piker, captioned with a quote from Piker that had circulated on the internet: “I hate America… at least I say it with my f‑ing chest.” Guest added, “This you?” and then a second caption that read, “‘I hate America… at least I say it with my f‑ing chest,’” before adding, “Campaigning with a guy who said we deserved 9/11… his brazen dishonesty makes him all the bigger piece of s-.”

GOP consultant Ryan Girdusky added his own criticism with a tweet that read, “Campaigning with a guy who said we deserved 9/11… his brazen dishonesty makes him all the bigger piece of s-.” National Republican Senatorial Committee communications director Joanna Rodriguez posted a scathing message: “You’re a disgrace. You remain unwilling to disavow your chief spokesman who said ‘America deserved 9/11,’ you belittled the American lives lost year after year while giving excuses and showing sympathy for terrorists.”

Mike Hahn, a GOP digital strategist, offered a brief response: “Good job reading from that script buddy.” And Joey Mannarino, co‑founder of the right‑wing media group Overton Institute, wrote on X: “How in God’s name is Abdul El‑Sayed even close to winning this race? The man campaigns with people who say America deserved 9/11. He is a radical Islamist extremist if I’ve ever seen one. And this is who Michigan wants to put in the Senate?”

The rapid accumulation of these remarks painted a picture of a candidate whose campaign had become the focal point of a broader debate about the political implications of his associations.

El‑Sayed’s Response

El‑Sayed replied to the controversy by emphasizing that his campaign is guided only by his own voice and that of his official spokesperson. In a tweet, he wrote, “But I want to be crystal clear, nobody speaks for this campaign besides me and my campaign spokesperson.” He added that the 9/11 tribute was meant to be a personal reflection and that the campaign’s priorities are “gas, groceries, good schools and healthcare,” topics he said Michigan voters care about.

The candidate also clarified that he does not endorse Piker’s comments that “America deserved 9/11.” El‑Sayed noted that while the streamer had made provocative remarks about Israel and the United States, his campaign’s stance is distinct and not influenced by Piker’s positions. He reiterated that the campaign’s focus remains on domestic concerns rather than the controversies surrounding Piker.

The campaign, however, has yet to issue a formal statement addressing why it has not taken a more explicit public stand against Piker’s past statements.

Context: El‑Sayed’s 9/11 Commentary

El‑Sayed’s 9/11 tribute is part of a series of posts he has made on the anniversary of the attacks. In previous years, he has tied the tragedy to the “War on Terror” and has critiqued U.S. military interventions, including the 2023 conflict in Gaza. In his most recent tweet, he made a reference to the President’s visit to Israel, saying, “The President’s visit to Israel as it plans a major escalation & invasion of Gaza is already being held up as an endorsement of the violence being unleashed on innocent Palestinians. I can’t help but hear echoes of 9/11. When do we learn that more violence doesn’t fix violence?” The post, which was removed after the backlash, did not mention the wars that followed the attacks.

Investigative reporter Chuck Ross of The Washington Free Beacon noted that El‑Sayed’s most recent 9/11 statement differed from earlier ones in that it focused solely on the day itself rather than on subsequent conflicts. Ross commented that the post was “reading off a teleprompter,” a phrase often used to describe prepared political speeches.

The Broader Debate

El‑Sayed’s 9/11 tribute has highlighted a broader conversation about the role of political messaging on social media and the influence of celebrity associations on campaign perception. Critics argue that El‑Sayed’s alliance with Piker, who has repeatedly made controversial remarks about the United States, undermines his candidacy in a state that leans Republican. Supporters point to El‑Sayed’s long record of public service, including his tenure as Detroit’s mayor, and argue that his policy positions on healthcare, education, and the economy should