BS BULLETIN:
- Sen. John Fetterman offered to donate $25,000 for every campaign rally Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed holds with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker.
- Fetterman challenged El-Sayed either to campaign openly with Piker or condemn his inflammatory rhetoric.
- The Pennsylvania Democrat also urged his party to cut ties with democratic socialists, declaring, “This is not like a big-tent situation.”
Sen. John Fetterman is putting money behind his demand that Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed stop running away from his association with controversial streamer Hasan Piker.
During an appearance Tuesday on Fox News’ “Hannity,” Fetterman offered to donate $25,000 to a super PAC supporting El-Sayed for every campaign rally the candidate holds with Piker.
“I’m daring him—campaign with this Hasan Piker,” Fetterman told host Sean Hannity. “I will donate $25,000 to his super PAC for every campaign rally that he does with Hasan Piker.”
“That’s his main guy,” Fetterman continued. “So get back out on the trail, dude.”
El-Sayed previously campaigned with Piker during the Democratic primary, but their association has become a liability as the Michigan candidate attempts to broaden his appeal ahead of his general-election contest against Republican Mike Rogers.
Piker has faced criticism for inflammatory comments about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Israel, Hamas and communist governments.
Fetterman accused El-Sayed of trying to distance himself from Piker’s rhetoric without fully rejecting the streamer. “He tries to pretend that he doesn’t have the same kinds of views as Hasan Piker because he’s campaigned with him constantly,” the Pennsylvania Democrat said.
Fetterman then presented El-Sayed with a blunt choice. “Are they cowards?” he asked. “Campaign together or condemn them. What are you going to be?”
The senator also described El-Sayed as being in a “spiritual union” with Piker and accused the Michigan nominee of belonging to an emerging anti-American and pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic Party.
Fetterman’s attack extended beyond El-Sayed to the Democratic Socialists of America, which he said should be separated from the broader Democratic coalition. “This is not like a big-tent situation,” Fetterman said. “They should have their own entire party and run alone as the kinds of communists and socialists and anti-American party that they are.”
Despite his increasingly bitter clashes with the Democratic left, Fetterman again rejected speculation that he might switch parties. “No, I’m not going to be Republican,” he told Hannity. “I’m going to remain a Democrat that’s going to have a conversation with whoever’s playing it straight.”
MY QUICK TAKE
This may be the most entertaining campaign-finance offer of the election.
Fetterman’s challenge cuts through the usual political dodge: If Piker is an ally worth embracing during a Democratic primary, why should he suddenly disappear when general-election voters begin paying attention?
El-Sayed can take the rallies and the money—or explain clearly why the man who helped energize his campaign is no longer welcome beside him.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Fetterman offers El-Sayed $25,000 per rally with Hasan Piker — Mediaite
- Fetterman warns Democrats that Michigan’s Senate seat is now in play — Mediaite
- El-Sayed surged after campaigning with Hasan Piker — Mediaite
- El-Sayed explains his “ogre on a pike” attack against Fetterman — The Guardian
- Fetterman previously dared El-Sayed to continue campaigning with Piker — New York Post
