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Michigan Senate hopeful pressed on streamer ties, Washington…

El Sayed declined to disavow the streamer's controversial statements during questioning, saying he wasn't there to disavow people's views—a moment the reporting frames as costly to his campaign.

On air: Hank Ledger and Brock Thunderson on The Five O'Clock
Published 4:57 PM ET, Monday, October 12, 2026

Photo: Architect of the Capitol · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · Your Money

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger and Brock Thunderson on this story, from The Five O'Clock at 4:57 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Washington Examiner's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

First reported by Washington Examiner: “The high cost of Abdul el Sayed”.
Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 4:57 PM ET on The Five O'Clock, by Hank Ledger and Brock Thunderson.
Topics: Michigan Senate, El-Sayed, Washington, Maine Senate.
BBN covered this story before: Obama endorses El-Sayed in new Michigan Senate ad (October 12).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Washington ExaminerThe high cost of Abdul el Sayed

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA heavier story now, and a quieter one, in politics.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe Washington Examiner looks at Abdul el Sayed, the Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan, and what his campaign is costing him.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHe got irritated when asked about streamer Hasan Piker, who said America deserved nine-eleven. El Sayed said, quote, I'm not here to disavow people's views.
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistI see a front, Hank. A cold, defensive front sliding in from the Michigan primary, and I've named it Gerald.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDoes Gerald have a number?
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistGerald has pressure, humidity and a very awkward jaw line, and that's all the instruments give me.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe piece says the cost is high, but the summary here doesn't give a figure.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo for your wallet, today, it's an opinion column about a primary.
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistWhich is the most expensive kind. You pay in group chat arguments, and I'm told the refunds are terrible.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWhat's the temperature reading, Brock.
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistIrritated.

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