Lifelong Democrat Breaks Party Line, Donates to Mike Rogers Over El-Sayed's Piker Ties

On MS NOW's "2Way," broadcast September 18, 2026, in an episode titled "'Frustrated' Abdul El-Sayed Pushes Back on Hasan Piker Issue in Surprise MS NOW Appearance," a regular Democratic guest disclosed he had crossed party lines financially for the first time in his life.

Al Modder, described on the program as a longtime and loyal Democrat whose father worked for Senator Ted Kennedy, told hosts he made his first-ever donation to a Republican Senate candidate this week — Mike Rogers, who is running against El-Sayed for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat. Modder said his motivation centers on El-Sayed's public association with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker.

"His buddy Hassan Piker is a real treat if you haven't followed what he says, and that'll be hung around our neck like an albatross if El-Sayed is a U.S. senator," Modder said, adding that he views the matchup as "existential" for Democrats' chances of holding the seat.

The comments came amid a wider discussion on the show about outside spending flooding the race. Panelists cited Financial Times reporting that 16 of the nation's 20 largest political donors have poured money into Republican efforts nationally, with combined spending cited at $105 million. They also noted a New York Times report that roughly 500 Jewish leaders in Michigan signed an open letter backing El-Sayed despite concerns over his criticism of Israel.

Panelists also discussed a new Mike Rogers campaign ad that criticizes El-Sayed over past comments regarding breast cancer research funding, with the ad quoting him as having called increased funding "disturbing because it benefited women with social power and privilege." One panelist pushed back on Republicans' focus on the Piker connection, calling the outrage overblown given Donald Trump's own record of controversial remarks.

The exchange underscores how the Michigan Senate race, one of the most closely watched in the country, is drawing scrutiny not just over policy but over the company candidates keep — and how that dynamic is playing out even among the Democratic Party's own longtime supporters.

Heard on 2Way — "Frustrated" Abdul El-Sayed Pushes Back on Hasan Piker Issue in Surprise MS NOW Appearance (2026-09-18).