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Dr. Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, who is running for US Senate, reiterated his decision to campaign with controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker while taking a swipe at host Joe Rogan.
When asked if he would deny Piker’s controversial statements, El-Sayed declined, instead focusing on Rogan.
“I’m not here to appease people’s opinions. I’m here to talk about how to get money out of politics, put money back in pockets, and pass on Medicare for all people. That’s a conversation people are here to listen to,” said El-Sayed. “The whole gotcha game, the stage police, canceling the ritual, I thought it was over. I thought we lived through the whole ‘we’ve got to go on with Rogan,’ and there’s more to watch, but Rogan said I’m going to drop it, and I’m still going to go on his show.”
DEM SENATE PRIMARY STATION AS PARTY VOTERS CONTINUE RADICAL STREAM: ‘AMERICA DESERVED 9/11’
Michigan Democrat hopeful Abdul El-Sayed said he will appear on Joe Rogan’s show, despite disagreeing with the host. (Evan Cobb for The Washington Post via Getty Images; Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
It is unclear whether El-Sayed has been asked to appear on Rogan’s podcast. However, the Michigan Democrat has spoken out about the regrets others expressed after Vice President Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election, with many saying she should have agreed to appear on Rogan’s show. Many credited President Donald Trump’s willingness to appear on unusual podcasts like “The Joe Rogan Experience” and “Flagrant” for his win, saying the interviews helped him reach a wider audience.
Rogan has been drawn as controversial due to his political views and statements on health issues, such as his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine. He has been criticized for using Ivermectin to treat his COVID-19, with many critics referring to the drug as a dewormer for horses.
“The Joe Rogan Experience” is the top podcast on Spotify, followed by “A Good Hang with Amy Poehler” and “This Last Weekend w/ Theo Von.”
Podcaster Joe Rogan talked about how the immigration crisis has intensified, with the Trump administration taking drastic measures after years of millions of undocumented illegal immigrants flooding into America. (The Joe Rogan Experience)
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El-Sayed disputed the claims many have made about Rogan, saying the Twitch streamer can help him reach a wider and younger audience. He has scheduled two appearances with the broadcaster, taking place at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.
Piker is no stranger to controversy. The Twitch streamer has faced criticism for comments many say are anti-American and antisemitic. Piker, who was raised Muslim, has repeatedly denied allegations that he is anti-Semitic and has often used his platform to fight back despite what critics say about his words.
The Twitch streamer infamously said that “America deserved 9/11,” though he later said the comment was “incorrect.” He was later criticized for downplaying the mass rape by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, saying “it doesn’t matter if the f—— rape happened on October 7th. It doesn’t change the situation for me.”
Hasan Piker, broadcaster and creator, attended a press conference on the third day of the Web Summit Qatar 2026 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center in Doha, Qatar, on Feb. 3, 2026. (Nushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Piker has recently become a point of division within the Democratic Party. Some candidates have chosen to campaign with him while others warn that endorsing him gives Republicans political fodder. El-Sayed faced criticism when his events with Piker were announced, with ADL Michigan Regional Director Elyssa Schmier calling the decision “another example of the growing normalization of extreme anti-Zionism in the mainstream.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to El-Sayed’s team and Rogan’s representatives for comment.
