Abdul El-Sayed spent the eve before Michigan’s primary partying with far-left influencer Hasan Piker, and it set off a firestorm from both Democrats and Republicans. The poolside event in Detroit drew progressive candidates and state lawmakers, and critics say it shows El-Sayed cozying up to extreme voices at a time when Michigan voters want steady leadership. Republicans and some Democrats warned that the photos and company raise real questions about judgment and priorities heading into a tight Senate fight.
The gathering was hosted by a local content creator in Detroit and included progressive House hopefuls Melat Kiros and Chris Rabb, both tied to the Democratic Socialists of America, . Michigan state Rep. Donavan McKinney also reportedly attended, which made the whole night an easy target for opponents who say optics matter on the doorstep of a major primary.
Hasan Piker brings massive social reach and a string of controversies that critics say should make any mainstream candidate think twice before sharing a stage. He has roughly 10 million followers across platforms, and his past remarks and gestures have landed him in hot water repeatedly with more traditional voters who reject radical rhetoric.
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One resurfaced clip captured him saying, “I never would and never will criticize Mao Zedong,” followed by, “One of the great leaders of this world.” That kind of line is exactly the sort of thing conservative voters and many independents find alarming, and it deepens the disconnect between El-Sayed’s plea for broad appeal and the company he keeps.
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Piker has also been associated with the phrase “America deserved 9/11” in past remarks, and public stories have tied him to controversial takes on Hamas and other violent events. Those accusations have been repeated by opponents and picked up in campaign messaging, and they have energized Republican attacks that portray El-Sayed as linked to dangerous fringe views.
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El-Sayed has tried to walk a careful line, saying he does not agree with everything Piker says, but he has not forcefully broken with the streamer in a way that satisfies critics. That hesitation opened him to direct rebuke from within his own party, including comments aimed at the tone and substance of the relationship rather than the event itself.
Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, who is running against El-Sayed in the primary, publicly criticized the association in a pre-polling press gaggle, saying, “I don’t believe Mr. Piker lives here in our state. I do think his rhetoric should be denounced. I do think that my opponent should distance himself from him. I don’t know what they were doing last night at this pool party that was going on, but I was with Congresswoman Hillary Scholten and Debbie Stabenow.”
Stevens went on to say, “some of this stuff makes people uncomfortable. Frankly, it makes me uncomfortable. You know, we don’t need these demagogues or people citing allegiance to Mao coming into Michigan.” She also urged El-Sayed to focus on small businesses and voters who reject what she called “extreme politics,” saying, “Maybe instead of being with Mr. Piker, you know, if he ends up winning the nomination, maybe he’ll come with me and hear from some of the small businesses who don’t want this extreme politics coming into our state.”
Republican operatives were quick to pounce, with NRSC Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell saying, “Instead of spending his final hours campaigning with Michiganders, Abdul El-Sayed spent it poolside with an antisemite and terrorist sympathizer who believes America deserved 9/11.” Alyssa Brouillet, campaign communications director for presumptive GOP nominee Mike Rogers, added, “We’re getting ready to prosecute the case against Abdul, but it looks he’s already giving us a head start,” and “This is giving fraud, not serious. And Michiganders are battling serious issues they need a senator to deal with—not someone who dances around with LA and NYC influencers who think ‘America deserved 9/11.’”
Hours before the pool party, Piker answered a reporter’s question during a campaign event about whether he would keep campaigning with El-Sayed after the primary, and when asked, “Are you crazy?” Piker responded. “Of course.”
El-Sayed now faces Stevens in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, with polls showing him likely to advance to a general election matchup against Mike Rogers this fall. As the race tightens, opponents on both sides are using last-minute moments like this pool party to shape the narrative about who will best represent Michigan’s priorities in Washington.
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