Controversy Surrounds Abdul El-Sayed’s Campaign Due to Hassan Piker’s Comments

David Beamer, father of Todd Beamer, a passenger and hero on Flight 93 during the 9/11 attacks, has criticized streamer Hasan Piker and his association with Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. This criticism was featured in a campaign video released for El-Sayed’s Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, by Great Lakes HQ and the Great Lakes Conservative Fund, a super PAC backing Rogers.

The video begins with a 2019 clip where Piker states America “deserved 9/11,” followed by clips of El-Sayed on Piker’s Twitch livestream. El-Sayed is shown refusing to disavow Piker when asked. David Beamer, narrating the ad, introduces his son Todd Beamer, who along with others on United Flight 93 fought the terrorists hijacking the plane on September 11, 2001.

“Those 43 people on Flight 93 were not victims. They were killed in action. When I hear anyone suggest America ‘deserves 9/11,’ my question is, ‘Who would say that?’” Beamer states in the advertisement.

Although El-Sayed has repeatedly rejected Piker’s 9/11 remark, he has avoided fully renouncing the streamer, despite Piker campaigning with him during the Democratic primaries.

Elizabeth Pipko, a former spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, expressed disappointment that families mourning 9/11 victims still have to engage politically to safeguard their loved ones’ legacies. “How incredibly disappointing that, 25 years after those horrific attacks, Todd Beamer’s family is still unable to simply mourn their son and speak about his heroism. Instead, they find themselves having to teach their fellow Americans a lesson they themselves wish they never had to learn,” she shared with Fox News Digital. Pipko further emphasized Todd Beamer’s character and the American spirit he represented as qualities needed in elected leaders.

Theo Wold, a former assistant attorney general and former White House deputy assistant under Trump, commented to Fox News Digital that Piker’s presence will continue to challenge El-Sayed’s campaign unless the candidate denounces him entirely. “Antifa Democrats and their friends in the media say a lot of dangerous and incendiary things. Hasan Piker, who endorses political violence and has denigrated the Americans killed on September 11th, has repeatedly campaigned alongside his friend El-Sayed,” Wold remarked.

Fox News Digital attempted to contact groups representing Gold Star Families, El-Sayed’s campaign, and Mike Rogers’ campaign but did not receive responses before publication.