The Partnership That Backfired - 8/31/26

Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed says he has no plans to campaign with Hassan Piker against Republican Mike Rogers. El-Sayed campaigned side-by-side with Hassan Piker several times in the spring and summer to attract Democratic votes. But now that he has the Democratic nomination for the Senate race in Michigan, he is dismissing any questions about how he recently campaigned with the controversial streamer who said America deserved 9-11, and who has a picture on the wall of the airplane striking the Twin Towers. Which is visible to viewers of his popular streaming show.

Fellow Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell said, I am done. Don't any reporter ask me about Hassan Piker. It's not what November is about. Republicans are trying to divide us. But it's not just Republicans that are calling out Abdu'l-Sayed. Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Hillary Scholten has refused to endorse Abdu'l-Sayed for his close ties with Hassan Piker, who she said was a hack who thrives on hate. Republicans have not won a Senate contest in Michigan since 1994, but political prognosticators from all sides of the aisle regard the Michigan Senate race as a true toss-up.

Meanwhile, over at The Loop, a California man was sentenced for a graphic threat against conservative commentator Benny Johnson and his family. That happened just days after Charlie Kirk's murder. Today is the feast of St. Raymond Nonnatus, a holy man of the 13th century who ransomed hundreds of Christians from slavery, not just in North Africa, but also in Spain, which was controlled by Muslims for 781 years. I'm Josh Mercer, editor of The Loop, taking you behind the headlines. Go to zeal.co for the rest of today's loop, and while you're at it, subscribe to get The Loop in your inbox every morning. Again, that's zeal.co.