Did Abdul El-Sayed say 'America deserved 9/11'? Truth behind controversial remark amid Michigan primary win

Claim resurfaces after Michigan primary victory

After Abdul El-Sayed secured the Democratic nomination in Michigan's US Senate primary, political opponents revived allegations that he had once said "America deserved 9/11." The claim gained traction on social media and was echoed by Republican leaders during the campaign.

Did Abdul El-Sayed actually make the remark?

No. There is no evidence that Abdul El-Sayed ever made the statement.

The controversial quote is widely associated with Hasan Piker, the online political commentator and streamer, who made the remark during a livestream several years ago. El-Sayed campaigned alongside Piker during the Michigan primary, and critics used that association to suggest he shared or endorsed the comment.

What has El-Sayed said?

El-Sayed has rejected the allegation and stated that he does not believe America "deserved" the September 11 terrorist attacks.

According to reports, he has condemned the attacks while arguing that understanding the historical and foreign policy context behind terrorism is different from justifying or endorsing such acts. His campaign has maintained that attributing Piker's comments to El-Sayed is false.

Why did the issue become political?

The controversy intensified after El-Sayed's narrow primary victory over Representative Haley Stevens in one of the year's most closely watched Democratic contests.

Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and other critics sought to portray El-Sayed as holding extreme views, citing his campaign appearances with Hasan Piker and his progressive positions on healthcare, campaign finance and US policy in the Middle East.

Supporters of El-Sayed have accused opponents of misrepresenting his record and conflating his views with those of others.

Campaign heads into general election

With the Democratic primary now over, El-Sayed is preparing for a high-stakes general election in the battleground state of Michigan. The campaign is expected to remain closely watched, with issues such as healthcare, foreign policy and national security likely to feature prominently in the race.