Michigan Democrats Condemn Hasan Piker Over Remarks on Jewish State Senator

U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten of Michigan issued a statement on August 24, 2026, sharply criticizing online commentator Hasan Piker following livestreamed remarks concerning state Sen. Jeremy Moss, which sparked widespread backlash across state political lines.

The controversy stems from an August 20 livestream where Piker reacted to a disputed audio clip featuring Moss, the Democratic nominee for Michigan's 11th Congressional District. Moss has stated that the recording, which claimed he was singularly focused on support for Israel, was entirely fabricated.

Scholten, a Grand Rapids Democrat, denounced Piker's commentary as a dangerous threat against Moss and the broader Jewish community. She argued that the online streamer's divisive rhetoric holds no place in state or national governance.

"Piker is a hack who thrives on hate, shock and awe because he lacks substance," said Democratic Rep. Hillary Scholten of Michigan.

The lawmaker urged public figures to repudiate such commentary to diminish its impact on the political process.

"It's dangerous for everyone. We should all be calling out this disgusting rhetoric so it loses its grip on our politics once and for all," said Scholten.

She emphasized that such political commentary harms public discourse.

"It has no place in Michigan, and no place in our country," said Scholten.

Addressing the viral audio clip during his broadcast, Piker warned of potential societal backlashes regarding support for Israel.

"If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone's going to come around and take action, not against the state of Israel – mind you – but against American Jews," said political commentator Hasan Piker.

He expanded on his statement during the stream by criticizing political alignments tied to foreign nations.

"I don't know how people don't recognize how dangerous this predicament is, how dangerous this is for Jews," said Piker.

He argued that linking religious identity with specific foreign policies intensifies societal tensions.

"You're running around basically tying your entire identity to a country that will inevitably be seen as basically Jewish ISIS, and you're saying, 'As Jews, this is all we care about.' … You're making antisemitism worse," said Piker.

Piker directly answered Scholten's criticism online, writing on X that he "wouldn't spend so much time vying for the spotlight by actively defaming a prominent anti-Zionist voice to harm the [Democratic Senate] majority chances over a 90/10 issue." Responding to critics on August 23, Piker clarified his position further.

"Falsely tying Israel to Jewish people IS increasing antisemitism," said Piker.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers also criticized Piker's broadcast and targeted Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who has previously campaigned alongside the streamer.

"Absolutely DISGUSTING. If Abdul El-Sayed had any courage at all, he would call this out and disavow Hasan Piker once and for all. We're waiting, Abdul," said Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers.

In response to the growing controversy, El-Sayed issued a statement clarifying his stance on community safety and disassociating his platform from third-party commentators.

"My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own daughters," said Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed.

He reiterated his opposition to any discourse that puts communities in harm's way.

"Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms. And I stand against any rhetoric that puts the community at risk," said El-Sayed.

He emphasized that external commentators do not represent his official campaign platform.

"But I want to be crystal clear, nobody speaks for this campaign besides me and my campaign spokespeople," said El-Sayed.

El-Sayed concluded by redirecting focus toward core economic and educational policy issues facing voters in the upcoming toss-up general election.

"While politicians and pundits try to make this race about a Twitch streamer, we're going to be talking about gas, good schools, and healthcare," said El-Sayed.