A Democratic Senate hopeful is scrambling to reject an ally’s “America deserved 9/11” line while insisting his own 9/11 tribute honored victims, not terrorists.
Story Snapshot
- Abdul El-Sayed released a 9/11 tribute condemning terrorism and honoring victims.
- El-Sayed rejected Hasan Piker’s “America deserved 9/11” claim as a “dumb statement”.
- Opponents say the tribute was scripted spin and highlight El-Sayed’s ties to Piker.
- Press reports show El-Sayed has condemned terrorism in prior comments as well.
What El-Sayed Said On September 11
El-Sayed’s campaign posted a 9/11 statement saying, “Today, on 9/11, we honor the lives that were taken from us in a terrible act of terrorism. Nothing can justify the murder of innocent civilians. Nothing.” The message also said, “we mourn the victims, their families, and the destruction those terrorists caused.” The language is clear. It condemns the attacks and honors the dead. It does not defend the attackers or excuse terror in any way.
The post arrived during a storm over Hasan Piker’s past “America deserved 9/11” claim. That timing made critics suspect political damage control. The record shows no public drafts, teleprompter text, or production notes to prove how the tribute was made. The video stands as the only published artifact. That limits outside review of motive or process. The words on the screen, however, strongly reject any defense of terror.
Where Piker’s Rhetoric Collides With Michigan Voters
Hasan Piker has restated and tried to reframe his “America deserved 9/11” line over time, but he has not fully withdrawn it. That stance remains toxic, especially for families who lost loved ones. El-Sayed’s ties to Piker at events gave opponents an easy opening. They argue a candidate cannot honor victims while standing near someone who excuses the attack. That association continues to fuel ad campaigns and questions on the trail.
El-Sayed has tried to shut that door. He told reporters that “of course it was a dumb statement,” adding, “America didn’t deserve 9/11.” He stated that clearly on camera. That is a clean, specific disavowal of Piker’s claim. It is also the most direct answer he can give without controlling Piker’s speech. Voters now must weigh that stated line against his past proximity to Piker at campaign moments.
Critics Say ‘Scripted’; Records Show A Pattern Of Condemning Terror
Republican opponent Mike Rogers seized on the controversy. He shared a clip highlighting Piker’s claim and argued El-Sayed was “conning Michiganders” with a scripted 9/11 tribute. That charge aims at motive. It says the video was theater, not truth. Yet the public record contains no behind-the-scenes files to prove scripting or staging. Rogers’ attack draws energy from association and timing, not documented production evidence.
Coverage also shows El-Sayed has condemned terrorism before this cycle. Reports cite him calling 9/11 “an awful thing” and “a terrible attack on our country.” They also note past posts mourning the dead and the harm done in New York City. That suggests a pattern of public mourning, not a sudden flip. The pattern does not erase the Piker tie, but it does undercut the claim that his stance only emerged under pressure.
How Voters Can Cut Through The Noise
Michigan voters face two separate questions. First, what did El-Sayed actually say? The answer is clear. He honored victims and condemned terrorism. He rejected Piker’s “deserved 9/11” line as dumb. Second, what should we make of his ties to Piker? That is a judgment call. It weighs character and choices about allies. It also checks whether words and associations match conservative, pro-America values on a day of national mourning.
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Here is the bottom line for readers who value the truth and the memory of the fallen. The 9/11 tribute itself condemns terror without hedging. The disavowal of Piker’s line is unambiguous. The association with Piker remains a fair campaign issue. It is right to press any candidate who stands near rhetoric that insults the United States. Voters should demand consistent respect for American lives and a firm stand against those who excuse our enemies.
Sources:
politifact.com, abdulforsenate.com, foxnews.com, politico.com
