Piker: U.S. Is Worse Than Al Qaeda

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Previously titled “The Five 09-17-2026” — renamed by the publisher on Sep 18, 2026

The Five 40 min 8 speakers 4 chapters transcribed 5 hours ago

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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

Jillian Turner 0:00

Hello,

Emily Campagno 0:04

everyone. I'm Emily Campagno, along with Harold Ford Jr., Brian Kilmeade, Jillian Turner, and Greg Gutfeld. It's 5 o'clock in New York City, and this is The Five.

Emily Campagno 0:21

The Democrats are doing some major damage control, scrambling to distance themselves from Abdul El-Sayed's pool party pal, Hassan Piker, after the controversial streamer told Axios this extremely vile thing about America and Al Qaeda. Watch.

Hasan Piker 0:37

You once said that America is the top dog in terrorism. Yes. Do you think America then is worse than Al Qaeda? Pound for pound, as far as the number of deaths, yes, we have caused tremendous terror. Not only terror that we are waging on regular civilians in nations in the periphery, but it's also having consequences on ourselves. If you're killing 140 schoolgirls, that is an act of terror. This doesn't mean that all Americans are terrorists, but the reality of the matter is we have to create an environment of accountability to ensure things like that never happen.

Emily Campagno 1:13

Hassan Piker now fuming over the backlash, ripping Axios and claiming that they turned his, quote, nuanced answer into clickbait. But Piker's bestie is throwing him under the bus. Abdul El-Sayed saying this, quote, I do not agree with this statement, nor do I give much weight to the statements made by a social media streamer. But the candidate has passed up plenty of chances to break up with this streamer in California.

Abdul El‑Sayed 1:40

Stop asking me about a streamer in California He's a streamer Hasan Piker is a streamer This campaign is not about a streamer in California A streamer in California A streamer in California A social media person in California A social media person in California A Twitch streamer in California A streamer in California A streamer in California A streamer in California A Twitch streamer in California Twitch streamers in California Streamers in California A Twitch streamer A streamer in California A streamer in California A streamer in California

Emily Campagno 2:05

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats met with El-Sayed in Washington yesterday and had nothing but glowing reviews for the radical candidate they are trying to make their colleague.

Unknown 2:15

We had a very good meeting. We talked all about how we're going to win in Michigan. Have you buried the hatchet?

What controversy sparked the Democrats’ damage‑control over Hassan Piker?

Unknown 2:21

Look, we have to win Michigan, and we had a great and friendly meeting. Abdul is a really good candidate. Abdul sees this world as a fight between worker power and corporate power, and frankly, we need more people like that in the United States Senate.

Emily Campagno 2:38

He's got the best campaign. He's a great candidate. He's going to win, and we are all united. Herald looks like they got the memo that Abdul is a great candidate. Do you agree? And if not, why not?

Harold Ford Jr. 2:50

I would have voted. First, I was going to be with everybody again. I would have voted for Haley Stevens had I been a Michigander. And I'd be listening very closely to Mr. El-Sayed, Dr. El-Sayed in this race. I'm pleased to hear him more and more distance himself from Hassan Piker. I prefer a little stronger language and just he's a streamer in California who I disagree with fervently on his position on 9-11 because we're the greatest country in the world. Number two, I'm a believer that our policies towards Israel help keep us safe in the Middle East. Do we need to rethink some things around Netanyahu perhaps, but not Israel? I want to hear him say that. If he's able to say that, I'd feel more confident if I were a voter in Michigan.

Harold Ford Jr. 3:30

Now, having said that, listening to Senator Murphy there, Must have been a good meeting. He must have hammered out. He being also got his positions on economic matters, affordability. And when you see I know we'll talk about a little later, but when you see President Trump going to North Carolina and Vice President Vance, I think going to Kansas, maybe even going to Nebraska, it gives you a sense of how this map.

Why do the hosts claim America’s terror impact is worse than Al Qaeda’s?

Harold Ford Jr. 3:53

is really unfolding. And even Republican John Sununu inching closer in New Hampshire and even the closer race, perhaps even in Maine. So voters are saying to the politicians, give us a reason to vote for you.