AI Generated Image
‘America deserved 9/11?’: Meet the Press host pushes El-Sayed on Hasan Piker
The Independent • • nation
Key Points:
- Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed addressed criticism over his ally Hasan Piker's controversial 2019 comment that America "deserved 9/11," calling the remark "dumb" and noting that Piker has since disavowed it.
- El-Sayed accused critics and media of engaging in "gotcha politics" and "cancel culture," emphasizing his desire to be held accountable for his own words rather than those of his associates.
- The primary race saw significant attacks on El-Sayed due to his association with Piker, fueled by a large influx of spending from pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, which also targeted him with ads accusing him of anti-Semitism and disparaging Michelle Obama.
- Despite the contentious primary, El-Sayed secured the Democratic nomination by a narrow margin and now faces the challenge of uniting the party and winning over independents in the general election against Republican Mike Rogers.
- El-Sayed received an endorsement from Vice President Kamala Harris, who praised his readiness to address working families' issues, and he expressed hope that former President Barack Obama might campaign with him ahead of November.
