Hasan Piker, a far-left internet personality aligned with Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, made controversial remarks comparing America to terrorist organizations on "The Axios Show." During the interview, Piker stated that America is worse than al-Qaeda in terms of causing terror around the world and cited U.S. military actions as acts of terrorism. Despite these comments, El-Sayed has not directly condemned Piker, instead focusing criticism on President Donald Trump's policies.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Hasan Piker, a controversial Twitch streamer with Marxist views, recently declared on The Axios Show that the United States is "worse" than al Qaeda when comparing deaths caused "pound for pound." During an interview, Piker argued that U.S. foreign policy and military actions worldwide contribute to “tremendous terror,” citing a recent incident where an American airstrike accidentally hit an Iranian school. The comments have sparked renewed scrutiny of Piker's ties to Democrats, including his support for Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul el Sayed. While Piker has previously retracted statements suggesting the U.S. "deserved" 9/11, he continues to use extreme rhetoric to critique what he perceives as a system of oppression. Republicans and some Democrats are using these comments against el Sayed's campaign, with critics arguing that his association with Piker undermines his credibility.
Written for “Hasan Piker's Us Vs Al Qaida Comparison” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.65, but none of the 5 quote(s) it offered could be found in the article text, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 17289: no verified evidence · logged 2026-09-18
A popular far-left streamer tied the Democratic nominee in the high-stakes U.S. Senate race in Michigan doubled down on anti-American comments he's made in the past during an on-camera interview released Thursday.
asserted
he → tie → interview
Hasan Piker was featured in an episode of "The Axios Show" taped in Los Angeles, where he resides, where interviewer Alex Thompson recalled the internet personality's past claim that "America is the top dog in terrorism.
uncertain
America → feature → terrorism
"
"Do you think America, then, is worse than al-Qaeda?" Thomspon asked.
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Thomspon → think → Qaeda
"Pound for pound as far as the number of deaths, yes," Piker replied.
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Piker → reply → deaths
"We have caused tremendous terror all around the world."
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We → cause → world
"I think that that is not only terror that we are waging on regular civilians, and nations in the periphery, but it's also having consequences on ourselves," the Twitch streamer continued.
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streamer → think → ourselves
"It's having dramatic consequences on the home front."
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It → have → front
"One clear example of this is what we did in Minab [Iran],' Piker said, referring to American attacks earlier this year that struck a school.
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that → do → school
A United Nations mission said it found "reasonable grounds" to believe that the U.S. committed a war crime.
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U.S. → say → crime
If you're killing 140 school girls, that is an act of terror."
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that → kill → terror
Piker conceded that not all Americans are terrorists, but still called for an "environment of accountability."
Piker is closely tied to Abdul El-Sayed, the controversial far-left U.S. Senate candidate in Michigan.
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Piker → concede → Michigan
Piker joined El-Sayed on the campaign trail during primary season.
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Piker → join → season
The two were pictured partying together on the night El-Sayed ended up winning his primary election.
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Sayed → picture → election
Since winning the Democratic primary, El-Sayed hasn't been able to shake Piker's shadow, and has refused to condemn him for past controversial comments.
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Sayed → win → comments
Instead the candidate has painting him as a "streamer from California" who has no bearing on the race in Michigan in attempts to distance himself from Piker's more radical views and comments.
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who → paint → views
Piker said in 2019 that "America deserved 9/11."
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America → say → 9/11
He has also praised Mao Zedong and Communist China, said capitalists should be murdered in the streets and is known for making antisemitic comments.
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capitalists → praise → comments
El-Sayed's campaign responded to Piker's comments on The Axios Show, but did not mention Piker by name.
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campaign → respond → name
"I do not agree with this statement [on al-Qaeda], nor do I give much weight to the statements made by a social media streamer," the campaign told Axios.
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campaign → agree → Axios
"I am more concerned with the dangerous policies of Donald Trump and Mike Rogers that are raising the prices of gas, groceries and healthcare for Michiganders.
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that → raise → Michiganders
"
El-Sayed's campaign reiterated that statement when reached by Fox News Digital on Thursday.
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campaign → reiterate → Thursday
During a trip to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday to meet with potential future colleagues, El-Sayed was caught on camera walking into the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC).
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Sayed → meet → Committee
When asked by Fox News Digital whether he would condemn Piker, El-Sayed waved off the question and swiftly ducked into the building where he sat down with Democrat senators.
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he → ask → senators
El-Sayed's staff later banned Fox News Digital from joining an impromptu post-meeting press event where he took questions and discussed a range of issues key to the 2026 midterms.
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he → ban → midterms
The Aporia
