David Beamer Released Ad Targeting Abdul El-Sayed
The advertisement links the Senate candidate to past comments about the September 11 attacks.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Terrorism
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Should political candidates be held responsible for the inflammatory comments of their public associates?
David Beamer, father of Flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer, has released a political advertisement criticizing U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. The ad highlights El-Sayed declining to disavow controversial 9/11 comments made by streamer Hasan Piker.
Why it matters
The advertisement aims to influence Michigan voters by challenging El-Sayed's judgment, ultimately urging them to support Republican candidate Mike Rogers instead.
The advertisement features footage of Abdul El-Sayed declining to reject comments made by Hasan Piker in 2019 regarding the 9/11 attacks, noting he is not there to disavow people's views.
The players
David Beamer
He is the father of Todd Beamer, a passenger who fought back against hijackers on United Flight 93.
Abdul El-Sayed
He is a Democratic candidate running for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.
Hasan Piker
He is an online political commentator and streamer who made controversial remarks about the September 11 attacks.
Mike Rogers
He is a Republican candidate competing in the Michigan U.S. Senate race.
The details
David Beamer narrates the events of the September 11 attacks, referencing his son Todd Beamer who died when the flight crashed in a Pennsylvania field. The ad contrasts these events with El-Sayed's refusal to disavow Piker, despite El-Sayed later labeling the streamer's comments as dumb in August 2026.
Timeline
Hasan Piker stated America deserved the 9/11 attacks in 2019.
Abdul El-Sayed referred to the comments as dumb in August 2026.
The advertisement was reported by The Blaze on September 21, 2026.
Legal Context
This advertisement follows a pattern set by political campaigns using the September 11 attacks as a moral litmus test for candidates. Such rhetoric reflects the enduring weight of the tragedy in American political discourse more than two decades later.
Michigan voters may see increased political spending and debate regarding candidate values in the final stretch of the election. This ad serves as a primary point of contention for residents evaluating the platforms of El-Sayed and Rogers.
The takeaway
The use of personal tragedy in political advertising demonstrates how candidates are held accountable for their associations and past public statements. Voters are encouraged to independently verify the context of such ads to better understand the platforms of competing Senate candidates.
Further reading
Learn more about the ongoing impact of these events in the Michigan Terrorism section.
Live Poll
Should political candidates be held responsible for the inflammatory comments of their public associates?
