Stephen A Smith warns Hasan Piker will ‘contaminate’ Democrats in the midterms, ‘come back to haunt them’

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith believes that the growing influence of streamer Hasan Piker could become a liability for Democrats in general elections, potentially “contaminating the electorate on the left side of the aisle.” The Republican National Committee has already used Piker’s relationship with Democratic candidates, such as Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, to attack the party. El-Sayed, however, sees engaging with Piker’s large audience as a strategy to bring them into the electoral movement.

• Stephen A. Smith warned that far-left streamer Hasan Piker could be a general election liability for Democrats.
• Smith believes Piker’s influence could “contaminate the electorate on the left side of the aisle” and “come back to haunt them.”
• The Republican National Committee has sought to use Piker’s relationship with Democratic candidates as an indictment of the party.
• Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed explained his strategy of engaging with Piker’s 3 million listeners to bring them into an electoral movement.
• El-Sayed confirmed that his approach is about reaching Piker’s audience, not necessarily endorsing the streamer personally.
• Piker has faced past controversies over political rhetoric, including remarks about 9/11 and comments involving Israel and American Jews.