Abdul El-Sayed won his primary election against Haley Stevens last week to become the Democratic candidate for United States senator from Michigan. The result was a lot closer than had been forecast, with 1% separating the two. But El-Sayed may owe his good fortune to his friend, ultra-leftist podcaster Hasan Piker.
Piker, one of the most extreme podcasters, campaigned with El-Sayed till the very end. Piker is best known for his position that the United States deserved what it got on 9/11. He has also compared Zionists to Nazis. This is part of a whole host of radical leftist positions that he has taken.
When asked how Democrats could support a candidate endorsed by Piker, the most common response is that Democrats have a “big tent,” meaning it is very accommodating to many divergent opinions. That has been the favorite terminology of Senator Chuck Schumer, who has reversed course and has now endorsed El-Sayed. This should not be a surprise, as Schumer is a panderer of the first order. Nothing gets in his way if it smacks of an opportunity for him to maintain his good standing in the Democratic Party.
Others who have used the “big tent” banner are leftist Senators Chris Van Hollen and Elizabeth Warren.
I don’t know if Bernie Sanders has used that term, but when asked how he can support El-Sayed, which he now does, despite Piker’s anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism, Sanders answered that we can’t engage in cancel culture. That’s rich coming from a leftist like him who canceled anyone thought to have been associated with the right.
It is hard to fathom that Jewish politicians such as Sanders and Schumer would be willing to overlook Piker’s appalling anti-Semitism, no matter how far left they are.
Also included in the big tent must be DSA candidate for Wisconsin governor Francesca Hong, who not long ago said she wished to abolish the holiday of Thanksgiving, as it brings hurt to many people. (I wonder how.) She had previously supported defunding the police.
I am sure that within the “big tent” is Zohran Mamdani, who makes his disdain for America and the Jewish people obvious.
What is a “big tent” supposed to mean? In terms of a circus, it brings many clowns and performers under one roof. But in politics, it really means that you have no core values. Anything said by anybody is acceptable.
I remember a few years ago that a certain American rabbinic organization tolerated members who were anathema to most of the values we hold sacred. Their response, as well, was that they were proud to have a “big tent.” I wrote to them that eventually the tent will collapse under its own weight.
I believe the Democratic tent will eventually collapse under its own weight as well. The DSA is fast gobbling up its own established politicians. Even Chuck Schumer is terrified of a challenge from the extreme left, especially from AOC.
It is no wonder that according to a 2025 Gallup poll, only 36% of Democrats are proud to be Americans, compared to 67% of Republicans and independents.
So, peek inside the “big tent,” and you will see the makings of the demise of a once-stalwart Democratic Party.
Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, former President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.
