---
title: "Hasan Piker says US causes more deaths than al-Qaeda"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/hasan-piker-says-us-causes-more-deaths-than-al-qaeda"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/hasan-piker-says-us-causes-more-deaths-than-al-qaeda"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/hasan-piker-says-us-causes-more-deaths-than-al-qaeda.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/hasan-piker-says-us-causes-more-deaths-than-al-qaeda"
category: "Politics"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-09-17T23:05:12.919Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-17T22:00:06.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-17T23:05:12.919Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 57
hype_score: 68
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-18T11:00:50.570989+00:00"
---

# Hasan Piker says US causes more deaths than al-Qaeda

*Streamer's comments on terrorism draw Republican criticism and Democratic scrutiny.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named outlet, but relies on anonymous sourcing for specific details.
- Craft 57 of 100, higher is better. Quotes affected parties and names specific figures, but lacks context and explanation of why it matters.
- Hype 68 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises more than the body delivers, with sensational language and manufactured urgency.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Far-left streamer Hasan Piker stated that the United States is "pound for pound" worse than al-Qaeda in terms of deaths caused.
- Piker cited a February air strike on a school in Minab, Iran, as an example of US actions he described as terrorism.
- Republicans have used Piker's comments to criticise the Democratic Party's left wing.
- Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has faced questions about his ties to Piker.

Far-left streamer Hasan Piker stated in an interview with Axios that the United States is "pound for pound" worse than al-Qaeda in terms of the number of deaths caused. Piker cited a February air strike on a school in Minab, Iran, which he described as an act of terror. Republicans have used Piker's comments to portray the Democratic Party's left flank as extreme. Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has faced scrutiny over his association with Piker.

## Disagreement on El-Sayed's response

The Independent reported that Abdul El-Sayed has resisted calls to fully denounce Piker, defending him in an interview and stating that "There are a lot of things he says that I deeply agree with." In contrast, americanliberty.news stated that El-Sayed publicly rejected Piker's claim.

## What the coverage left out

None of the right-rated digests mention the specific details of the Minab school air strike that Piker cited as an example of US terrorism. The full report from The Independent (US) included this detail.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 35 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 14% (5)
- Centre: 12% (4)
- Right: 74% (26)

2 of 37 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-18T11:00:50.570989+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 48 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-18T11:30:19.706Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports focused on Piker's statement that the US causes more deaths than al-Qaeda "pound for pound." The Independent's full report noted that Piker cited the Minab school air strike as an example of US terrorism and detailed the differing approaches Democrats have taken to Piker, including criticism from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and El-Sayed's nuanced stance. The Wrap also highlighted Piker standing by his "top dog in terrorism" comment and El-Sayed rejecting the comparison. Axios published Piker's statement that America conducts more terrorism than al-Qaeda "pound for pound."

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports highlighted Piker's argument that the US commits more terrorism globally than al-Qaeda. The Hill stated that Piker's comments were sparking backlash from both Republicans and Democrats. Dailymail.com reported that a "Democratic entertainer" made the allegation that America has carried out more terrorism globally than the group that planned the 9/11 attacks. Internewscast reported Piker's claim that the US commits more terrorism than al-Qaeda "pound for pound."

### Right

- Right-rated reports focused on Piker's comparison of the US to al-Qaeda, often labelling him an "ally" of El-Sayed or a "surrogate." Many digests repeated Piker's "pound for pound" statement regarding deaths caused by the US. Several reports, including from Breitbart and the NRSC, mentioned Piker's past controversial statements, such as "America deserved 9/11." NewsBusters noted a CNN panel discussing the issue. The National Pulse described Piker as "DSA-Backed" and an "ally of far-left Democrat Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed." PJ Media referred to Piker as a "Dem Surrogate."

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- low: 5
- mixed: 17
- high: 9
- unknown: 2
- veryHigh: 3

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [themidwesterner.news](https://themidwesterner.news/2026/09/william-lawrence-praised-hasan-piker-the-streamer-who-claimed-america-worse-than-al-qaeda-pound-for-pound) — William Lawrence praised Hasan Piker, the streamer who claimed America worse than al-Qaeda 'pound for pound' - The Midwesterner
- [Jerusalem Post](https://jpost.com/international/article-909011) — US conducted 'tremendous terror,' worse than al-Qaeda, Hasan Piker says in Axios interview
- [The Western Journal](https://westernjournal.com/hasan-piker-doubles-america-hate-says-us-bigger-terror-group-al-qaeda) — Hasan Piker Doubles Down on America Hate, Says US Bigger Terror Group Than Al-Qaeda
- [The Gateway Pundit](https://thegatewaypundit.com/2026/09/abdul-el-sayed-supporter-hasan-piker-claims-pound) — Abdul El-Sayed Supporter Hasan Piker Claims ‘Pound for Pound’ America ‘Worse Than al-Qaeda’ * The Gateway Pundit * by Margaret Flavin
- [wfmd.com](https://wfmd.com/2026/09/17/radical-el-sayed-ally-doubles-down-on-anti-american-rhetoric-with-stunning-terrorist-comparison) — Radical El-Sayed ally doubles down on anti-American rhetoric with stunning terrorist comparison
- [NewsBusters](https://newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/nicholas-spinnato/2026/09/17/cnn-panel-claims-no-dem-running-views-hasan-pikers-decry-gop) — CNN Panel Claims No Dem Is Running on Views Like Hasan Piker's, Decry GOP Tactics
- [Mediaite](https://mediaite.com/media/tv/go-away-democratic-rep-debbie-dingell-savages-hasan-piker-for-hurting-abdul-el-sayed-campaign) — ‘Go Away!’ Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell Savages Hasan Piker for Hurting Abdul El-Sayed Campaign
- [[your]NEWS](https://yournews.com/2026/09/17/7198168/hasan-piker-tells-axios-u-s-is-pound-for-pound-worse) — Hasan Piker Tells Axios U.S. Is ‘Pound for Pound’ Worse Than Al-Qaida by Death Toll
- [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/media/6096033-hasan-piker-al-qaeda-terrorism-us) — Hasan Piker: US commits ‘pound for pound’ more terrorism than al Qaeda
- [Breitbart](https://breitbart.com/politics/2026/09/17/hasan-piker-claims-america-is-worse-than-al-qaeda-has-caused-tremendous-terror-all-around-the-world) — Hasan Piker Claims America Is Worse than Al-Qaeda, Has 'Caused Tremendous Terror All Around the World'
- [KRNV](https://mynews4.com/news/nation-world/piker-says-us-is-worse-than-al-qaida-renewing-scrutiny-of-el-sayed-ties-michigan-senate-united-states-twitch-streamer) — Piker says US is 'worse than al-Qaida,’ renewing scrutiny of El-Sayed ties
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/hasan-piker-alqaeda-midterm-elections-b3051955.html) — Hasan Piker says US ‘pound-for-pound’ is worse than al-Qaeda
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/hasan-piker-alqaeda-midterm-elections-b3051955.html) — Hasan Piker says US ‘pound-for-pound’ is worse than al-Qaeda
- [The National Pulse](https://thenationalpulse.com/2026/09/17/dsa-backed-hasan-piker-claims-america-is-responsible-for-more-terrorism-than-al-qaeda) — DSA-Backed Hasan Piker Claims America is Responsible for More Terrorism Than Al-Qaeda.
- [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/news/article-16139369/Democrats-celebrity-provocateur-Hasan-Piker-hurls-ugly-claim-America-killed-al-Qaeda.html) — Democrat provocateur claims America has killed more than al-Qaeda
- [NRCC](https://nrcc.org/2026/09/17/hasan-piker-says-america-worse-than-al-qaeda-william-lawrence-says-youre-the-man) — Hasan Piker Says America Worse Than Al-Qaeda. William Lawrence says "You're the Man"
- [Washington Examiner](https://washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/4731346/hasan-piker-declares-us-worse-pound-for-pound-than-al-qaeda-media-blitz) — Hasan Piker declares US worse 'pound for pound' than al Qaeda
- [thejeffreylord.com](https://thejeffreylord.com/the-al-qaeda-comparison-even-democrats-wont-defend) — Pound-For-Pound: Piker’s Latest Attack on the U.S. – Jeffrey Lord
- [RedState](https://redstate.com/watch/2026/09/17/hasan-piker-goes-rogue-screws-democrats-with-america-worse-than-al-qaeda-comment-n2207054) — Hasan Piker Goes Rogue, Screws Democrats With America 'Worse' Than Al-Qaeda Comment
- [NRSC](https://nrsc.org/press-releases/hasan-piker-america-is-worse-than-al-qaeda-2026-09-17) — Hasan Piker: America is worse than Al-Qaeda
- [Hot Air](https://hotair.com/ed-morrissey/2026/09/17/piker-america-is-worse-than-al-qaeda-m-snow-please-shut-up-n3819091) — Piker: America Is Worse Than Al-Qaeda. M-SNOW: Please Shut Up.
- [The Wrap](https://thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/hasan-piker-us-terrorism-al-qaeda-abdul-el-sayed-response) — Hasan Piker Stands by Calling America the ‘Top Dog in Terrorism’ in Contentious Interview
- [americanliberty.news](https://americanliberty.news/defense-news/hasan-piker-tells-axios-us-is-worse-than-al-qaeda-pound-for-pound/phouck/2026/09) — Hasan Piker Tells Axios US Is Worse Than Al-Qaeda 'Pound For Pound' - American Liberty News
- [PJ Media](https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/09/17/dem-surrogate-hasan-piker-usa-worse-than-al-qaida-n4957340) — Dem Surrogate Hasan Piker: U.S. Worse Than Al-Qaeda
- [OAN](https://oann.com/newsroom/far-left-online-personality-hasan-piker-u-s-commits-more-terrorism-than-al-qaeda-pound-for-pound) — Far-left online personality Hasan Piker: U.S. commits more terrorism than al Qaeda 'pound for pound'
- [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/hasan-piker-claims-us-commits-more-terrorism-than-al-qaeda-pound-for-pound) — Hasan Piker Claims US Commits More Terrorism Than Al Qaeda 'Pound for Pound
- [The National Desk](https://thenationaldesk.com/news/americas-news-now/hasan-piker-says-us-is-worse-than-al-qaeda-pound-for-pound-in-number-of-deaths-terrorism-iran-abdul-el-sayed-michigan-mike-rogers) — Hasan Piker says U.S. is worse than al-Qaeda 'pound for pound' in 'number of deaths'
- [KVII](https://abc7amarillo.com/news/nation-world/hasan-piker-says-us-is-worse-than-al-qaeda-pound-for-pound-in-number-of-deaths-terrorism-iran-abdul-el-sayed-michigan-mike-rogers) — Hasan Piker says U.S. is worse than al-Qaeda 'pound for pound' in 'number of deaths'
- [WLUK](https://fox11online.com/news/nation-world/hasan-piker-says-us-is-worse-than-al-qaeda-pound-for-pound-in-number-of-deaths-terrorism-iran-abdul-el-sayed-michigan-mike-rogers) — Hasan Piker says U.S. is worse than al-Qaeda 'pound for pound' in 'number of deaths'
- [anlatilaninotesi.com.tr](https://anlatilaninotesi.com.tr/20260917/hasan-piker-amerikan-basinina-konustu-abd-el-kaideden-daha-fazla-teror-uyguluyor-1108833882.html) — Hasan Piker Spoke to the American Press: The US Is Perpetrating 'More Terror' than Al-Qaeda.
- [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/09/17/us-news/far-left-streamer-hasan-piker-says-us-commits-pound-for-pound-more-terrorism-than-al-qaeda) — Far-left streamer Hasan Piker says US commits ‘pound for pound’ more terrorism than Al Qaeda
- [WIN](https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-hasan-piker-claims-us-responsible-for-more-terror-in-the-world-than-al-qaeda) — Hasan Piker claims US responsible for more terror than al-Qaeda
- [WLTReport](https://wltreport.com/2026/09/17/biggest-leftist-streamer-says-the-u-s-is-pound-for-pound-worse-than-al-qaeda) — Biggest Leftist Streamer Says The U.S. Is Pound For Pound Worse Than Al-Qaeda
- [Just the News](https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/elections/hasan-piker-says-us-military-commits-more-acts-terrorism-al-qaeda) — Hasan Piker says US military commits more acts of terrorism than Al Qaeda
- [Axios](https://axios.com/2026/09/17/hasan-piker-axios-show-terrorism-america) — Hasan Piker on "The Axios Show": America worse than al-Qaida "pound for pound"
- [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/2f6a47aa388a4edb) — Hasan Piker on "The Axios Show": America worse than al-Qaida "pound for pound"
- [TMZ](https://tmz.com/2026/09/17/hasan-piker-compares-america-to-al-qaeda) — Hasan Piker Claims U.S. Commits More Terrorism Than Al-Qaeda

## Questions

**What did Hasan Piker say about the US and al-Qaeda?**

Hasan Piker stated that the United States is "pound for pound" worse than al-Qaeda in terms of the number of deaths caused. He cited a February air strike on a school in Minab, Iran, as an example of US actions he described as terrorism.

**Why are Republicans criticising Hasan Piker's comments?**

Republicans have used Piker's statements to portray the Democratic Party's left flank as too extreme. They have also criticised Democratic candidates for their ties to him, particularly in the lead-up to the midterm elections.

**How has Abdul El-Sayed responded to scrutiny over his ties to Hasan Piker?**

Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed has faced questions about his association with Piker. While some reports indicate he has resisted calls to fully denounce Piker and defended him, others state he publicly rejected Piker's claim about the US.

---

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